Polymer modified jute fibre as reinforcing agent controlling the physical and mechanical characteristics of cement mortar

Polymer modified alkali treated jute fibre as a reinforcing agent, substantially improves the physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar with a mix design cement:sand:fibre:water::1:3:0.01:0.6. The workability of the mortar is found to increase systematically from 155 +/- 5 mm (control mortar) to 167 +/- 8 mm (0.2050% polymer modified mortar). The density of the mortar is increased from 2092 kg/m(3) to 2136 kg/m(3) with a concomitant reduction of both water absorption and apparent porosity. Optimal polymer content in emulsion (0.0513%) is found to increase the compressive strength, modulus of rupture and flexural toughness 25%, 28%, 387% respectively as compared to control mortar. Based on the X-ray diffraction and infra-red spectroscopy analyses of the mortar samples a plausible mechanism of the effect of modified jute fibre controlling the physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar has been proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.