Mechanical Performance of Cement Mortar Composites Reinforced with Cellulose Fibres

Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the mechanical performance of cement mortar composites reinforced with various percentages of cellulose fibres. Results indicated that for low content of fibres there is a high adhesion between the cement matrix and the fibres and, consequently, the fracture of the composite under flexural stress occurs by rupture of the matrix and the fibres. However, for higher fibre content, the collapse of the material occurs by a progressive rupture of the matrix which is dispersed in a dense network of fibres and which disintegrates, releasing the fibres. These results could be interesting for modelling the mechanical performance of vegetable fibre reinforced cement mortar composites.