Fiber-reinforced lime-based mortars: Effect of zeolite addition

In a previous paper the authors demonstrated that adding glass fibers to hydraulic lime-based mortars leads to clear improvement in the post-cracking behavior. In order to enhance physical and mechanical performances of the above fiber reinforced mortars, the use of zeolitic addition was proposed. A phillipsite-rich tuff and a zeolite A [LTA] were selected and added in the mixtures. A significant decrease in open porosity and increase in mechanical behavior was achieved with each addition. In particular 20% of LTA produces an improvement of flexural and compressive strength up to 150% compared with fiber reinforced mortars without addition.