BIOCHAR AS A BOND ENHANCEMENT IN FIBER-REINFORCED MORTAR

Author(s): Harn Wei Kua, Souradeep Gupta, Cynthia Tan
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference
on Bio-Based Building Materials
Editor(s): Sofiane AMZIANE, Mohammed SONEBI and Karine CHARLET
ISBN:
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-192-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 589-594
Total Pages: 6
Language : English

Abstract: This study focuses on the evaluation of using biochar to enhance the strength performance of
cement mortar reinforced with polypropylene (PP) fibers. Biochar was produced with mixed
wood sawdust that was discarded from a local sawmill. It was then divided into two groups, with
one group being subjected to dosage of carbon dioxide until it reached saturation. Results
showed that when reinforcing PP fibers are coated with CO2-dosed biochar, the cement mortar
experienced a 13% and 16% reduction in compressive and flexural strength respectively.
However, fibers that were not saturated with CO2 recorded improvement of about 19% for both
compressive and flexural strength respectively over control samples containing PP fibers not
coated with biochar. Coating of biochar on the fibers also reduced sorptivity significantly
compared to control samples which means that the permeability of mortar would be lower if
biochar is used to coat PP fibers. This phenomenon can be explained by the micro-filler effects
afforded by the biochar particles, which serves to strengthen the bond between the surface of
the PP fibers with the mortar matrix. These results highlight the potential usefulness of biochar
as a sustainable carbon sink that can also be used as a bond and strength enhancement for
cement mortar.

Online publication :2017
Publication type :full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00