Analysis on the mechanic resistance and water absorption capacity of prototype mortar with residual coconut mesocarp and fiber aggregates

Abstract

Material physics has traditionally been used in the area of mechatronics and aeronautical engineering. However, in recent years, bioclimatic architecture has used physical principles and conservation of matter to evaluate the performance of buildings where the comfort and safety of its inhabitants are sought, with the mortar being an adequate alternative in minimizing heat transfer. However, this material is fragile and has a high risk of fragmentation. This problem has been addressed through the incorporation of inorganic aggregates to maximize their mechanical properties but the cost of production is high compared to the traditional process. This work proposes the analysis of cement-sand modules with coconut endocarp and mesocarp (coconut fiber) aggregates, by evaluating their mechanical resistance, under a compressing force, and permeability and comparing to current regulations. The results showed that coconut fiber has a large impact on the mechanical resistance of the prototypes: a proportion of fiber greater than 3% compromises the mechanical resistance of the prototypes due to the water adsorption capacity of coconut fiber. Whereas, the prototypes identified under the endocarp to fiber ratio of 10% to 1% showed the highest performance in the deformation tests under compression with respect to the modules without the presence of this waste material. The resulting mixture meets the Mexican standard for mortar and could be an alternative for avoiding the burning of plant residues in regions with an active coconut industry.