Development of Portland Cement Mortars Reinforced with Hybrid Blends of Recycled Waste Fibers

Abstract

The flexural performance of Portland cement mortars reinforced with recycled fibres was tested in the lab. Finding the ideal combination of unsorted recycled post-consumer tyre steel fibres (RTSF) and recycled plastic fibres (RPF) was the goal in order to improve the flexural behaviour and ductility of composites made of cement. Ten mortar mixtures with different RTSF and RPF compositions were cast and put through an ASTM displacement-controlled four-point bending test. According to test results, recycled fiber-reinforced mortar mixes met ASTM flow standards and had a flexural response and toughness comparable to those of mixes with the same fibre dose but solely contained manufactured steel fibres (MSF). In comparison to mixtures reinforced with the same dose of MSF alone, the mix comprising 0.5% RTSF and 0.5% RPF (on a volume basis) had considerably improved flexural properties. Additionally, at 0.5% RTSF and 0.5% RPF (on a volume basis), the beneficial synergistic effect of fibre blends on the post-cracking strength and flexural toughness was evident. Recycled fibre blends of RTSF and RPF might therefore be suggested as an echo-friendly material for improving the flexural performance of cement-based composites at a lower cost.