Behaviour of polypropylene fibre mortars conserved in different environments

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation to study the physical and mechanical performances of mortars reinforced by polypropylene fibres and stored for 91 days in three different environments (hot-dry, laboratory and cold environment). The mortars samples were cured in water for 14 days, before they were affected in the chosen environments. Mortars are prepared with fine sand produced from the crushing of limestone rocks. Fibres used for reinforcement of these mortars are polypropylene fibres coming from industrial waste. Two dosages of fibres are used 0.5 and 1% by weight. According to the results obtained in this research, the conservation of mortars in the laboratory conditions has a better effect on their final flexural and compressive strengths. The mortars conserved in the hot-dry environment presented the most important shrinkage. A net improvement in the flexural behaviour was obtained by the incorporation of polypropylene fibres in mortars conserved in hot-dry environment. In each environment, the compressive strength is improved by the addition of fibres. The shrinkage of mortars conserved in hot-dry environment or in laboratory is more sensitive to the addition of fibres.

Keywords:

• mortars
• polypropylene fibres
• environment
• workability
• mechanical strength
• shrinkage