Effect of Short Banana Fibers on the Physico-mechanical Properties of Cementitious Matrix Mortars at Young Age

The aim of this study was to examine the possible influence of banana trunk fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of a cementitious matrix mortar. The results clearly show that the presence of pseudo-banana trunk fibers in the mortar significantly reduces the mechanical strength due to their low mechanical strength and the method of treatment before incorporation into the mortar. And as might be expected regarding physical properties, the higher the fiber content, the more water the mortar absorbs and the more porous and therefore lighter it is. To improve the mechanical properties of the mortars, it was necessary to repeat other formulations by treating the fibers with 6% sodium hydroxide. As a result, new mortar formulations were developed with the same proportions of fiber, and their studies showed an improvement in the mechanical properties in flexion and compression.