IMPROVING SOME OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CEMENT MORTAR BY THE ADDITION OF GLASS FIBERS

Abstract

Glass fibers reinforced mortar is a modern composite material in the field of construction. This composite consists of the cementitious matrix including cement, sand, water, and reinforcement which is represented by glass fibers. This study aims to show the effect of the addition of randomly dispersed glass fibers and layers of glass fibers on water absorption, the velocity of ultrasound wave passing through the reinforced mortar and acoustic impedance of mortar. Mixtures of 1:2 cement/sand ratio and 0.5 water/cement ratio were prepared to make the mortar. Two series of mortars reinforced by glass fibers (random and layers) were prepared. Each series were reinforced with different percentage (0.54, 0.76, 1.1, and 1.42)wt.%. Glass fibers reinforced mortar exhibit better properties than plain mortar. The increase in glass fibers addition caused an improvement in mortar by reduction of water absorption, ultrasound wave velocity, and acoustic impedance. The addition of glass fibers layers showed better properties than random addition after curing for 7 and 28 days.