Hydration characteristics of coconut fibre-reinforced mortars containing CSA and Portland cement
Résumé
This study aims at investigation of the effects of incorporating natural fibres and two types of cement [ordinary Portland cement and calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA cement)] on hydration characteristics of fibre-reinforced mortars. The hydration characteristics were evaluated experimentally by the heat of hydration and mechanical strength. The results have been compared with reference mortar of Portland cement to demonstrate the difference between pozzolanic and ye’elimite reactions. It was found that the hydration heat of mortar was governed significantly by the presence of fibres when the incorporation of 3% fibre was most effective in the development of cumulative heat of CSA cement after 24 h. Partial replacement of fine aggregates by natural fibres was optimal when the presence of fibres could lead to the enhancement of the mechanical properties of mortar. The experimental results indicated that 2% of coconut fibre (by volume of mortar) seems to be the optimum quantity for improving the flexural strength of mortars with the enhancement of 16.7%. It was found that the enhancement of toughness and preventing the development of cracks inside reinforced mortars are the most important contributions of fibres.