Improving the durability and mechanical performance of self-compacting mortar utilizing natural and synthetic fibers

The robustness and sustainability of buildings are mostly dependent on the durability of construction materials, which has recently become a critical concern across the globe. This study highlights the effect of various fibers on the strength and durability of self-compacting mortar. Three different fibers, namely, polypropylene, nylon, and jute, were used in two different mix proportions, i.e., 0.5% and 1.0%. Mechanical properties of mortar were identified using compressive and flexural tests. Moreover, a fire test was performed to study the effect of high temperature on compressive and flexural strength. Finally, SEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses were performed on specimens exposed to chemical attacks and freeze‒thaw cycles to investigate the effect of harsh environments on the deterioration of fiber-reinforced mortar. The inclusion of fibers enhances the overall durability and increases the flexural strength of the mortar specimens; however, the compressive strength was found to be reduced compared to the control specimens as the fibers create void spaces in the mortar. It is worth mentioning that the compressive strength was significantly reduced with higher temperature (1200℃ \(\:℃\) ) in the case of the control sample (100% reduction) and also specimens with jute fiber (70% reduction using 0.5% fibers). However, specimens with polypropylene fibers perform better under high temperatures in terms of strength and durability as around 39% reduction in compressive strength was observed. Moreover, the addition of 0.5% fiber showed higher compressive strength compared to 1%. On the other hand, the flexural strength increased with the increase in fiber content.