Mortar Composites Research Articles

New interpretation model of the effect of short PE fibers in TRM on tensile behavior

An experimental investigation was conducted on the tensile behavior of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) composites containing different volumes of short polyethylene (PE) fibers in a cementitious matrix to improve the tensile strength and cracking mode of TRM. This investigation mainly aimed to study the action mechanism of short fibers and propose a reasonable textile-short fiber-matrix interface model. The short fiber content was varied, as was the matrix type and the number of grid layers. Ten groups of TRM tensile specimens subjected to the monotonic uniaxial tensile loading were fabricated and tested to examine their tensile characteristics. The results showed that the multiple-cracking behavior and failure mode of TRM were significantly improved by adding PE fibers into the matrix. The tensile strength was increased by 25.8–167.2 %. After the uniaxial tensile tests, the microscopic investigation of the interface between the textile and matrix was conducted on the tensile specimens using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The significant influence of the short PE fibers on the improvement of the interface bonding between the textile and matrix was confirmed. More importantly, based on the ESEM results, a novel interface model was proposed to promote understanding of the action mechanism of short fibers.

Conceptual design and properties of ultra-high residual strength geopolymer after 1000 ℃ thermal exposure

A novel geopolymer concrete is developed, incorporating waste ceramic aggregates, with ultra-high residual strength after exposure to elevated temperatures. Different aggregate volume fractions and particle size gradations are designed, and the variations in mass loss, volume shrinkage, compressive strength, mineral composition, and microstructure of geopolymer mortar after exposure to high temperatures ranging from 20 ℃ to 1000 ℃ are investigated by testing mass loss, volume change, strength, XRD and SEM. The results show that the waste ceramic aggregates (WCA) applied in the preparation of geopolymer mortars improve the mechanical properties and high-temperature resistance. By optimizing aggregate particle size gradation, the microstructure of the geopolymer mortar becomes denser and more homogeneous, and the high-temperature resistance is further improved. The residual compressive strength at 1000 °C is 115.2 MPa, 476 % higher than that of reference. These findings demonstrate the great potential of geopolymer mortars using ceramic aggregates with optimized gradation for high temperature resistant applications.

A Study on the Mechanical and Wear-Resistance Properties of Hybrid Fiber Mortar Composites with Low Water-Cement Ratios.

Based on mortar composites with a low water-cement ratio, the effects of hybrid aramid fiber (AF), calcium sulfate whisker (CSW), and basalt fiber (BF) on their mechanical properties and wear resistance were studied, and the correlation between wear resistance and compressive strength are discussed. A microstructure analysis was conducted through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the nitrogen-adsorption method (BET). The research results show that compared with the control group, the compressive strength, flexural strength, and wear resistance of the hybrid AF, CSW, and BF mortar composites with a low water-cement ratio increased by up to 33.6%, 32%, and 40.8%, respectively; there is a certain linear trend between wear resistance and compressive strength, but the discreteness is large. The microstructure analysis shows that CSW, AF, and BF mainly dissipate energy through bonding, friction, mechanical interlocking with the mortar matrix, and their own pull out and fracture, thereby enhancing and toughening the mortar. A single doping of CSW and co-doping of CSW and AF can refine the pore structure of the mortar, making the mortar structure more compact.

The Effect of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Microfibers on the Piezoresistive and Mechanical Properties of Mortar

Sustainability, safety and service life expansion in the construction sector have gained a lot of scientific and technological interest during the last few decades. In this direction, the synthesis and characterization of smart cementitious composites with tailored properties combining mechanical integrity and self-sensing capabilities have been in the spotlight for quite some time now. The key property for the determination of self-sensing behavior is the electrical resistivity and, more specifically, the determination of reversible changes in the electrical resistivity with applied stress, which is known as piezoresistivity. In this study, the mechanical and piezoresistive properties of mortars reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon micro-fibers (CMFs) are determined. Silica fume and a polymer with polyalkylene glycol graft chains were used as dispersant agents for the incorporation of the CNTs and CMFs into the cement paste. The mechanical properties of the mortar composites were investigated with respect to their flexural and compressive strength. A four-probe method was used for the estimation of their piezoresistive response. The test outcomes revealed that the combination of the dispersant agents along with a low content of CNTs and CMFs by weight of cement (bwoc) results in the production of a stronger mortar with enhanced mechanical performance and durability. More specifically, there was an increase in flexural and compressive strength of up to 38% and 88%, respectively. Moreover, mortar composites loaded with 0.4% CMF bwoc and 0.05% CNTs bwoc revealed a smooth and reversible change in electrical resistivity vs. compression loading—with unloading comprising a strong indication of self-sensing behavior. This work aims to accelerate progress in the field of material development with structural sensing and electrical actuation via providing a deeper insight into the correlation among cementitious composite preparation, admixture dispersion quality, cementitious composite microstructure and mechanical and self-sensing properties.

Deciphering the Mortar Composition of Ancient Chinese Pagodas: A Comparative Analysis from the Tang to Ming Dynasties in Shaanxi Province

The mortar materials from the internal and external walls of ancient Chinese pagodas in Shaanxi (Luoshan Temple Pagoda (847–858 AD), Daxiang Pagoda (960–1279 AD), and Qianjin Pagoda (1609 AD)) were investigated. Qualitative and semi-quantitative techniques including scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis with differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC) were employed. The physical and chemical characteristics including microstructural morphology, chemical composition, element distribution, and organic additives of the mortar samples were studied. SEM indicated that the mortar from the external wall exhibits a tightly bonded matrix, with the irregularly shaped particles, and the carbonation of the calcium carbonate in the mortars closely resembles that of aragonite crystals. The results of EDS, XRD, FTIR and TGA-DSC revealed that mortar from external wall of these ancient pagodas were air-hardened lime, and complete carbonization with no traces of calcium hydroxide, while mortars from internal wall primarily comprises local clay and lime. In addition, ATR-FTIR and iodine-starch discoloration tests confirmed that the presence of starch in the external wall of Daxiang Pagoda, whereas no organic additives were detected in the Qianjin and Luoshan Temple Pagoda.

Thermo-mechanical behaviour of newly developed fabric-reinforced engineered geopolymer mortar

Geopolymer technology is a spectacular technique which provides solutions to several construction problems in a sustainable way. In the primary stage of this research, geopolymer mortar using industrial and agro wastes, such as fly ash and sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) was developed. It was found that the geopolymer mortar with 10% SCBA shows good mechanical and durability properties. In the second stage of this research, engineered geopolymer mortar (EGM) using 10% SCBA content and polypropylene (PP) fiber was developed. In the final stage of this study, a novel strengthening system made of fabric-reinforced engineered geopolymer mortar (FREGM) composites was developed using EGM and glass fabric. To characterise mechanical response, the FREGM material has been subjected to flexural and tensile tests. It was discovered that 4-layers of glass fabrics attained 21.87 MPa flexural strength. The feasibility of practical applications of this newly developed FREGM material was checked by using it for strengthening the cylindrical and beam specimens. For the cylindrical specimen, the test variables include methods of installations (cast-in-place and prefabricated), number of glass fiber fabrics, and test temperature (200 °C, 400 °C and 600 °C). The cast-in-place cylinder specimen achieved 6% higher load carrying capacity than the precast cylinder, and 30% higher load carrying capacity than the control specimen. The beam specimens strengthened with geopolymer mortar, EGM and FREGM materials performance were evaluated by studying the load- deflection behaviour, cost analysis, ductility factor, crack and installation methods (cast-in-place and prefabricated). It is found that the cast-in-place beam specimen achieved 9.5% more strength than the precast beam and 46% higher than the control specimen.

Computer-Aided Design of 3D-Printed Clay-Based Composite Mortars Reinforced with Bioinspired Lattice Structures.

Towards a sustainable future in construction, worldwide efforts aim to reduce cement use as a binder core material in concrete, addressing production costs, environmental concerns, and circular economy criteria. In the last decade, numerous studies have explored cement substitutes (e.g., fly ash, silica fume, clay-based materials, etc.) and methods to mimic the mechanical performance of cement by integrating polymeric meshes into their matrix. In this study, a systemic approach incorporating computer aid and biomimetics is utilized for the development of 3D-printed clay-based composite mortar reinforced with advanced polymeric bioinspired lattice structures, such as honeycombs and Voronoi patterns. These natural lattices were designed and integrated into the 3D-printed clay-based prisms. Then, these configurations were numerically examined as bioinspired lattice applications under three-point bending and realistic loading conditions, and proper Finite Element Models (FEMs) were developed. The extracted mechanical responses were observed, and a conceptual redesign of the bioinspired lattice structures was conducted to mitigate high-stress concentration regions and optimize the structures' overall mechanical performance. The optimized bioinspired lattice structures were also examined under the same conditions to verify their mechanical superiority. The results showed that the clay-based prism with honeycomb reinforcement revealed superior mechanical performance compared to the other and is a suitable candidate for further research. The outcomes of this study intend to further research into non-cementitious materials suitable for industrial and civil applications.

The influence of high temperature exposure on the tensile and cracking behavior of crimped-textile reinforced mortar composites (TRMs)

The use of textile reinforced mortar/concrete composites (TRM) in strengthening applications and new constructions necessitates understanding its behavior after exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, in this study, the residual tensile and cracking behavior of carbon based TRMs was studied. A total of 96 TRM samples were tested in the temperature range of 25–450 °C. The main parameters studied were the textile crimp, textile orientation, textile coating, multiple textile layers and hybrid reinforcement. The hybrid TRM was formed with a combination of uncoated and styrene butadiene (SBR) coated textile layers. This study served as one of the first experimental campaigns to use digital image correlation (DIC) for understanding the residual crack opening behavior of TRMs. The results demonstrated that the properties of the TRMs were noticeably influenced by temperature exposure of 450 °C. Unlike the uncoated or hybrid textile TRMs, the SBR coated textile TRMs demonstrated curvature and cracking after 450 °C exposure. The study showed that the load aligned crimped yarn TRMs were always associated with larger deformation irrespective of the exposure temperature. The crack openings also increased significantly after exposure to 450 °C. Whereas the presence of heat formed cracks caused higher initial rate of crack openings. The evolution in the crack spacing with increasing temperature fluctuated due to the possible relative degradation of cracking strength vs interfacial mortar textile bonding. Finally, the proposed empirical equation showed a good fit to the residual average crack opening vs. stress relations.

Investigation of Weathering Resistance and Damage Manifestations of Mortar Formulations for Heritage Structures in Saline Environment

ABSTRACT Salt, moisture, wind, relative humidity, and temperature fluctuations accelerate the deterioration of heritage masonry mortars. The salt entering the structure crystallizes on water evaporation, resulting in efflorescence and cryptoflorescence. As the conservation of built heritage primarily focuses on protecting the structure’s functionality, durability, and compatibility with the materials, salt weathering resistance must be emphasized when choosing a repair material for conservation. This study investigates the resistance of five different mortar compositions to salt exposure. Mortar cubes of size 50 mm were cast using five different binder compositions — dry hydrated lime, lime aged for one month, lime aged for one year, lime mortar with 20% Ordinary Portland Cement by weight and lime mortar with 50% Ordinary Portland Cement by weight. Alternate wetting and drying cycles were simulated by immersing the cubes in a 10% anhydrous sodium sulphate solution followed by drying. Physicomechanical characterization of the mortar was conducted before weathering. X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy provided the mineralogical and morphological alterations of the mortar specimens with weathering, respectively. Along with the microstructural assessment, observations on the mass change during the weathering cycles indicated that the partial replacement of lime with cement improved the weathering resistance of the mortar by changing the pore structure of the matrix. However, salt weathering resistance was unaffected by the changes in the ageing duration of lime. The study provides options for alternative lime-based systems with enhanced salt weathering resistance and investigates the role of the compositional differences and their impact on the pore structure and strength of the matrix, which in turn governs the salt weathering resistance.

Study of the behaviour of recycled and traditional fibres in cement composite at extreme temperatures

The use of fibres in concrete is one of the methods to increase the resistance of concrete to high temperatures. A wide range of different types of fibres are currently available. However, as part of the global trend to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry, the use of new types of recycled fibres is also being proposed. In this work, the behaviour of selected fibre types in cement composite mortar at different loading temperatures was investigated. The fibres used were industrially produced polypropylene fibres, recycled fibres from PET bottles and two types of cellulose fibres of which one type is produced by recycling wastepaper. Fibres were added to the cement composites in percentages ranging from 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.75, 0.9–1.2 %. The properties of the cement composites, such as flexural and compressive strength, were tested at different fibres percentages at laboratory temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C. For all types of fibres used, the workability of the fresh mixture was found to be decreased. Comparable strength results to the reference mixture were obtained when recycled polypropylene and cellulose fibres were used. Based on the results obtained, the most effective fibres dosage was determined to be 0.6 %. The most positive tensile flexural and compressive strength results after a thermal loading of 800 °C were obtained with recycled cellulose fibres compared to the reference mixture without fibres. It was evaluated by microscopic observation that the cellulose fibres are present in the composite even at temperatures around 400 °C, while the polymer fibres are completely burnt out. The research confirmed the clear benefits of using recycled fibres instead of conventionally used polymer fibres.

Dispersion effect of nano-structure pyrolytic carbon on mechanical, electrical, and microstructural characteristics of cement mortar composite

ABSTRACT In material science, converting waste into nanomaterials by green technologies highlights the interest in producing sustainable carbon nanomaterial (SCN). This study first-ever utilized tyre-char as a Nano-Structure Pyrolytic Carbon (NSPC) to develop electrically conductive composites. Unlike other carbon nanomaterials, the efficiency of NSPC particle as an SCN in developing electrically conductive composites was investigated in terms of dispersion, mechanical, water absorption, electrical resistivity, and microstructure. The results of sedimentation and zeta potential (−19 mV) showed the excellent dispersion of NSPC particle in water with the combined effect of superplasticizer and ultrasonication. The compressive (40.37%) and flexural strength (10.76%) than that of plain cement mortar composite (CMC) is achieved with 2 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% of NSPC particle, respectively. The water absorption rate and volume of permeable voids were reduced, exhibiting less agglomerations. The percolation zone of AC and DC resistivity of NSPC composite ranges between 1 and 2 wt.%, and the established percolation threshold is at 2 wt.%. XRD analysis showed C-S-H formation consistently increased with curing age, and HR-SEM with EDAX analysis exhibits the dense microstructure and well-distributed NSPC particle at the nanoscale. These experimental outcomes significantly enhanced the reliability and provided a framework for tailoring NSPC particle as SCN for developing electrically conductive composite.

Experimental Research on Uniaxial Tensile Properties of Expanded Steel Mesh with High Performance Cement Composite Mortar

Experimental Research on Uniaxial Tensile Properties of Expanded Steel Mesh with High Performance Cement Composite Mortar

Effect of Fly Ash and Metakaolin Substituted Forms on Structural Properties in Light Mortar with Pumice Aggregate

In this study, experimental tests were conducted on composite mortars in different forms prepared using lime, pumice, fly ash, and metakaolin. This research aims to recycle fly ash produced as industrial waste and produce a building material that is durable, lightweight, and provides good insulation. In the composite structure mortar mixture designs prepared for the experiments, CEN standard sand was replaced with Nevşehir pumice (0.5-4 mm) at the rates of 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, and fly ash-metakaolin was replaced with the cement at the rates of 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. A total of 13 different mixtures were prepared. Unit volume mass test, Ultrasonic test, water absorption test, compressive strength test, bending test, thermal conductivity coefficient test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, and thermogravimetric - differential thermal (TGA/DTA) analysis were performed on the prepared samples. ) analyses were made. As a result of the research, it was determined that T30 (All: Pumice + Fly Ash + Metakaolin) mortar mixture provided the highest compressive strength and thermal conductivity coefficient and the lowest dry unit volume weight compared to other mortar mixtures.

Experimental Study on the Dowel-Bearing Strength of Bambusa blumeana Bamboo Used for Sustainable Housing Construction

This study addresses the critical issue of dowel-bearing strength in Bambusa blumeana, a key sustainable construction material crucial for climate change mitigation. Given the lack of bamboo connection standards, this research focuses on determining the dowel-bearing strength of Bambusa blumeana, emphasizing factors such as dowel diameter, node placements, and the physical properties of bamboo. A predictive equation is derived, enhancing the practicality of bamboo in structural design. The results underscore a notable correlation between dowel diameter and characteristic strength, with implications for engineering practices. Node placements significantly affect dowel-bearing capacity, while bamboo’s physical attributes, including thickness, culm diameter, and moisture content, exhibit modest correlations with strength. The derived equation aims to assist in structural design, mitigating splitting and bearing failures in bamboo structures. This research establishes a foundation for optimizing the use of Bambusa blumeana in sustainable construction, advancing the understanding of its dowel-bearing strength for improved sustainability and resilience in the construction industry. Future research suggestions include exploring bamboo–mortar composites, additional node placements, and employing more comprehensive empirical equations and curve-fitting techniques. The study advocates for further investigations with more diverse and larger bamboo samples to bolster robustness. Additionally, delving into bamboo ductility may offer valuable insights.

Combining thermodynamic modeling and experiments to characterize the effect of ceramic polishing powder in cement-based materials

Ceramic polishing powder (CPP), a by-product of ceramic tile production, has the potential to prepare building materials. While the hydration and thermodynamic properties of CPP remain largely unexplored, thereby limiting its widespread application. This study utilized R3 tests to demonstrate that CPP exhibits pozzolanic activity comparable to that of fly ash. Then it analyzed the effects of substituting 10–20 % of cement with CPP on the hydration products, microstructure, and mechanical properties of composite materials, utilizing a synergistic approach that combines thermodynamic simulations with experimental investigations. The findings showed that adding CPP does not generate new crystalline products but enhances the formation of C-S-H through the pozzolanic reaction, which consumes calcium hydroxide. However, adding over 25 % CPP significantly lowered the pH of the pore solution, altering hydration products and causing volume contraction. In addition, CPP improved the microstructure at later ages, particularly by increasing micropores, leading to enhanced mechanical properties at 28 and 90 days. For instance, at a w/b ratio of 0.5, the 90 days compressive strengths of composite mortars CPP10, CPP15, and CPP20 were recorded at 67.0 MPa, 63.3 MPa, and 65.1 MPa, respectively. These values represented increases of 17.3 %, 10.9 %, and 14.0 % over the control group (57.1 MPa). Conversely, this also resulted in increased autogenous shrinkage due to higher capillary pressure. Notably, the 6 days shrinkage of CPP15 and CPP20 was about 50 % higher compared to that of the pure cement mortar. These findings highlight the necessity of balancing CPP content for optimal performance.

Enhancement of the tensile properties of cement mortar composites with nanoadditives produced by chemical vapor deposition

While graphene effectively enhances the performance of cement-based materials, its current production methods are characterized by environmental unfriendliness and high energy consumption. To investigate a large-scale and eco-friendly graphene preparation approach, Carbon Nano Sheets (CNS) were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The influence of CNS content on the tensile strength of cement mortar was assessed through the Brazilian splitting test. Concurrently, the mechanism of CNS was examined using acoustic emission monitoring and scanning electron microscope. The experimental results revealed that methane can be effectively decomposed into high-quality CNS at 1080 ℃ when using fly ash, silica fume, and sand as substrates. The Brazilian splitting test revealed that CNS effectively enhances the tensile strength of cement mortar, with improvements ranging from 9 % to 58.7 %. Acoustic emission results indicated that the inclusion of CNS reduces the occurrence of micro-fractures during the failure of cement mortar specimens. Furthermore, nano-mechanical testing and microstructural characterization demonstrate that CNS can reduce micro-cracks and pores in the interface transition zone and hydration products, playing a role in dense hydration products. Furthermore, it can decrease the width of the interface transition zone and enhance the micro-mechanical properties of cement pastes. This study offers a novel approach for the eco-friendly production of cement nano additives.

Seismic Performance of Unreinforced Masonry Walls with Various Retrofitting Methods

ABSTRACT This study proposed practical retrofitting methods to enhance the seismic performance of unreinforced masonry walls, utilizing textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) composites, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips, and fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC). Retrofitting materials were applied at wall boundaries using the cast-in-place method with and without anchorage. Four masonry wall specimens, one control and three retrofitted, were fabricated and tested under lateral cyclic loading conditions to assess retrofitting efficiency. Various parameters were assessed, including hysteresis response, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation capacity. The results indicated that TRM and FRCC retrofitting techniques exhibited an improvement in both the strength and deformation capacity. Among the retrofitting approaches, FRCC combined with steel reinforcement anchored to bottom beams showed superior performance Meanwhile, although exhibiting strength improvement, the ductility of the specimen retrofitted with FRP strips decreased post-peak due to severe splitting cracks. Lastly, an analytical strength model was proposed to predict lateral load-carrying capacity, demonstrating a reasonable correlation with test results. For the future application of the proposed retrofit methods, appropriate anchorage details for TRM and GFRP techniques are needed to be developed which could enhance deformation capacity in the post-peak stage of the retrofitted walls.

DEVELOPMENT OF DRY MIX MORTARS FOR FLOOR ELEMENTS

Dry mix mortars are widely used in construction projects for the implementation of construction works in new construction, reconstruction, and repair. The improvement of properties of dry mix mortars for the installation of floor screeds is relevant. The purpose of such mortars is to equalize the differences in the thickness of the floor surface, to create an intermediate layer characterized by the necessary strength, durability, and even surface with the possibility of decoration with various types of flooring. A step-by-step design of the composition of dry mix mortar for the installation of floor screeds was carried out. The ratio of fine aggregates and limestone filler was optimized according to the maximum packing density criterion, the required amount of plasticizer was selected according to the consistency index of the fresh mortar, and the minimum amount of Portland cement was selected to ensure the required strength.

High strain rate effect and dynamic compressive behaviour of auxetic cementitious composites

Masonry walls are known for their limited impact resistance, even when retrofitted with CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) and nanomaterials. This paper presents the findings of an experimental study using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests aimed at exploring the potential application of auxetics textile reinforced mortar (TRM) composites in impact protection. This study will provide the initial understanding of the composite as a structural reinforcement solution for masonry walls. Key findings reveal that the peak strength increases with rising strain rates, highlighting significant strain rate sensitivity in TRMs with auxetic (AX) and carbon fabric (CF) reinforcements. AX samples exhibit better energy absorption as compared to the reference plain mortar (PM) samples, particularly at higher strain rates, surpassing CF samples beyond 150 s−1. Moreover, the insertion of auxetic and carbon fabrics eliminates crack development and mitigates the severity of sample failure. The negative Poison ratio effect of auxetic fabrics significantly enhances the lateral confinement, ultimately improving the dynamic performance of AX samples compared to CF samples. These findings underscore the potential of auxetic materials in enhancing dynamic performance, particularly under high strain rates, with clear implications for engineering applications, including in masonry buildings.

Sustainable mortar reinforced with recycled glass fiber derived from pyrolysis of wind turbine blade waste

Pyrolysis technology has recently made significant progress in recycling millions of tons of wind turbine waste (WTB). Short fibers represent its main product (∼70 wt%), which needs further studies to explore its future applications. In this context, this work aims to the valorization of the recycled glass fiber (rGF) derived from pyrolysis of WTB (at 550 °C) in the production of rGF-reinforced mortar composite (rGF/M) for sustainable building applications. The research began by subjecting the derived rGF to sieving (rGFs), washing (rGFw), and oxidation (rGFo) pretreatments for purification and removing any impurities, organic residues, and char particles. Afterward, the chemical degradation of the treated rGF in a strong alkaline cement solution with pH = 14 was studied for up to 90 days. In parallel, the mortar composite samples were fabricated at 1 wt% of the treated rGF batches (rGFr, rGFw, and rGFo) to study the effect of different pretreatments on their microstructure, dispersion, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption capabilities behavior after different curing periods (28 and 90 days). The results showed that rGFo (7.84%) showed a lower degradation rate versus rGFw (16.41%) and rGFr (30.76%). Meanwhile, the highest curing period (90 days) contributed to improving the properties of the mortar composites in general, especially in the case of using rGFo which led to improved compressive strength (15%) and reduced absorption coefficient (38%) and cumulative water content (32%) with a uniform distribution of short fibers in the matrices and a slight increase in flexural strength compared to control mortar sample (8.6 MPa). While rGFs provides better flexural strength (9.3 MPa) with a 12% improvement. Based on these results it can be concluded that rGFo has high potential in sustainable building materials with high competition with virgin glass fiber.