The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications

Paving blocks might encounter diverse environmental conditions during their lifespan. The durability of paving blocks is determined by their capacity to endure various exposure conditions. Synthetic fibers have been used in mortar and concrete to improve their properties. This research investigates...

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Main Authors: Ginan Al-Massri, Hassan Ghanem, Jamal Khatib, Samer El-Zahab, Adel Elkordi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Ceramics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/7/4/99
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author Ginan Al-Massri
Hassan Ghanem
Jamal Khatib
Samer El-Zahab
Adel Elkordi
author_facet Ginan Al-Massri
Hassan Ghanem
Jamal Khatib
Samer El-Zahab
Adel Elkordi
author_sort Ginan Al-Massri
collection DOAJ
description Paving blocks might encounter diverse environmental conditions during their lifespan. The durability of paving blocks is determined by their capacity to endure various exposure conditions. Synthetic fibers have been used in mortar and concrete to improve their properties. This research investigates the influence of including banana fiber (BF) on the physical and mechanical characteristics of mortar. Five different mortar mixes were developed, with varying amounts of BF ranging from 0 to 2% by volume. Testing included ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, flexural strength, total water absorption, and sorptivity. Specimens were cured for up to 90 days. The results indicate that using 0.5% BF resulted in an improvement in compressive and flexural strength compared to the control mix. There was an increase in total water absorption and the water absorption coefficient in the presence of fibers. There appeared to be good correlations between the compressive strength and the other properties examined.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2571-6131
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publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Ceramics
spelling doaj-art-6d34dd64176f4980bd42a55221cb19bc2025-08-20T02:00:24ZengMDPI AGCeramics2571-61312024-10-01741533155310.3390/ceramics7040099The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block ApplicationsGinan Al-Massri0Hassan Ghanem1Jamal Khatib2Samer El-Zahab3Adel Elkordi4Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 12-5020, LebanonFaculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 12-5020, LebanonFaculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 12-5020, LebanonCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitFaculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 12-5020, LebanonPaving blocks might encounter diverse environmental conditions during their lifespan. The durability of paving blocks is determined by their capacity to endure various exposure conditions. Synthetic fibers have been used in mortar and concrete to improve their properties. This research investigates the influence of including banana fiber (BF) on the physical and mechanical characteristics of mortar. Five different mortar mixes were developed, with varying amounts of BF ranging from 0 to 2% by volume. Testing included ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, flexural strength, total water absorption, and sorptivity. Specimens were cured for up to 90 days. The results indicate that using 0.5% BF resulted in an improvement in compressive and flexural strength compared to the control mix. There was an increase in total water absorption and the water absorption coefficient in the presence of fibers. There appeared to be good correlations between the compressive strength and the other properties examined.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/7/4/99natural fibersbio-fibersmortarstrengthtotal water absorptioncapillary water absorption
spellingShingle Ginan Al-Massri
Hassan Ghanem
Jamal Khatib
Samer El-Zahab
Adel Elkordi
The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications
Ceramics
natural fibers
bio-fibers
mortar
strength
total water absorption
capillary water absorption
title The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications
title_full The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications
title_fullStr The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications
title_short The Effect of Adding Banana Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mortar for Paving Block Applications
title_sort effect of adding banana fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of mortar for paving block applications
topic natural fibers
bio-fibers
mortar
strength
total water absorption
capillary water absorption
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/7/4/99
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