MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FIBER REINFORCED SELF COMPACTING MORTARS

Abstract

In modern day construction practice, repair and rehabilitation of structures has taken a prominent role. Mortar plays a vital part in these works. As such, the flowability of mortar can be an added advantage when inaccessibility comes into picture like in case of congested reinforcement or narrow cracks or fissures. Due to the application easiness and mechanical advantages, Self Compacting Mortar is preferred for repair purposes especially in reinforced concrete structures these days. The cement as well as the ingredients of the paste, mineral admixtures (pozzolanic or inert nature) and plasticizing chemical admixtures should be carefully chosen in order to obtain a suitable paste composition to enrich the granular composition of the mix. There is no universally accepted agreement on the effect of these factors due to the complexity of combined action; thus, it is hard to make a generalization. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of fiber and mesh in Self Compacting Mortar from the viewpoint of fresh state behavior and mechanical performance. For this purpose two fibers (Polypropylene and Glass fiber) and two types of mesh (Chicken mesh and G.I. wire mesh) were used. The results of 54 panels, 54 cubes and 54 cylinders for flexure, compressive strength and split tensile strength are presented.