Scholarly record

USE OF NATURAL FIBRES IN HYDRAULIC LIME-BASED MORTARS: EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION

Adam Pivak, Zbysek Pavlik, Milena Pavlikova, Martina Zaleska

Abstract

In recent years, natural fibres have gained attention as an effective means of enhancing the performance of composite materials. By forming a reinforcing network within the matrix, fibres can limit crack propagation and improve cohesion. This approach is particularly relevant for lime-based mortars used in the repair of historic masonry, which often suffer from low mechanical strength during early curing. The presented study investigates the effect of increasing animal fibre content in natural hydraulic lime-based mortars (NHL mortars) intended for conservation applications. The influence of fibre dosage on structural, mechanical, hygric, and thermal properties was experimentally evaluated. The results show that increasing fibre content slightly raises total porosity, with only minor changes in pore structure. Fibre addition leads to reduced thermal conductivity, increased water absorption, and improved water vapour permeability. At the same time, a noticeable increase in flexural strength was observed. Overall, the incorporation of animal fibres enhances the mechanical performance of NHL mortars while maintaining their hygric and thermal behaviour. This combination supports material compatibility with originally inbuilt materials and their effective moisture transport ability, which are critical for the durability of repair mortars in historic structures.

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