engleski

Natural fibers application in cement composites, Croatian experience

The world´s researchers are now focused on the use of natural fibers as reinforcement. This paper presents Croatian experience on the application of natural fibers in cement composites that are derived from the plants widespread in the territory of the Republic of Croatia – industrial hemp fibers and Spanish broom fibers. In case of hemp fibers, a reference concrete mixture, polypropylene fibers mixture, and two mixtures with different chemically treated hemp fibers were prepared. The concrete specimens were heated to 400 °C and cooled. Visual observations from scanning electron microscope of the concrete mixtures showed that the hemp fibers were partially disintegrated during the exposure to high temperatures which means that hemp fibers could reduce crack propagation in concrete at high temperatures. In case of Spanish broom fibers, seven mortar mixtures were prepared: reference mortar mixtures which had no added fibers and other six mixtures contained Spanish Broom fibers in different amounts and of different length. The mortar specimens were tested for compressive and flexural strength. Mortar mixtures with lower fiber content achieved lower mechanical properties. Longer fibers have proven to be the best choice for mortar reinforcement.

fiber reinforced mortar, fire resistance of concrete, hemp fibers, Spanish broom fibers

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