The use of plant-derived fibres in cement-based materials offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic reinforcement. This study investigates date palm fibres as reinforcement for cementitious mortars intended for nonstructural applications, using polypropylene fibres as a reference. The experimental programme includes compressive, flexural and fracture toughness tests, focusing on the toughening mechanism of crack bridging. Untreated and treated date palm fibres are compared with polypropylene-reinforced mixtures, also considering less favourable geometrical conditions for the natural fibres. The results show that date palm fibres improve fracture resistance, post-cracking response and energy absorption, while providing flexural performance comparable to polypropylene fibres. Fibre treatment produced only limited additional benefits, supporting the use of untreated date palm fibres as a viable bio-based reinforcement.
From date palm waste to fracture-resistant mortars: natural fibres as an alternative to polypropylene / Benaimeche, O., Natali, S., Ronchei, C., Scorza, D., Zanichelli, A., Fiorillo, R., Vantadori, S.. - In: CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS. - ISSN 0950-0618. - 540:(2026). [10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.147650]
From date palm waste to fracture-resistant mortars: natural fibres as an alternative to polypropylene
Ronchei C.;Scorza D.;Zanichelli A.;Fiorillo R.;Vantadori S.
2026-01-01
Abstract
The use of plant-derived fibres in cement-based materials offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic reinforcement. This study investigates date palm fibres as reinforcement for cementitious mortars intended for nonstructural applications, using polypropylene fibres as a reference. The experimental programme includes compressive, flexural and fracture toughness tests, focusing on the toughening mechanism of crack bridging. Untreated and treated date palm fibres are compared with polypropylene-reinforced mixtures, also considering less favourable geometrical conditions for the natural fibres. The results show that date palm fibres improve fracture resistance, post-cracking response and energy absorption, while providing flexural performance comparable to polypropylene fibres. Fibre treatment produced only limited additional benefits, supporting the use of untreated date palm fibres as a viable bio-based reinforcement.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
