Handbook on the reinforcing behaviour of jute fibre in cement mortar

With the aim to develop green and sustainable construction material, the production of the natural fibre reinforced cement composite would be a unique approach. Jute fibre, one of the most abundantly available natural fibres, possesses the similar characteristics to that of the other natural and synthetic fibres such as sisal, heamp, coconut, bamboo, nylon, polypropylene, carbon, eglass, etc. Present investigation demonstrates that the jute fibers have enough potential to act as reinforcement in cement mortar. However, the durability of such fibers in highly alkaline cement matrix and the fiber-matrix compatibility are required to be controlled. The effective modification of jute fiber using some chemicals and polymers is expected to be the unique scheme to controlling these difficulties. The modification of jute fibre using mild alkali and combined dilute alkali and polymer emulsion is demonstrated to be very effective not only to disperse the chopped jute fibre homogeneously in cement mortar matrices, but also to improve the physical characteristics, mechanical properties, hydration behavior, and the durability of the cement composite.