Experimental Investigation of Toughness Enhancement in Cement Mortar

This paper presents the results of investigation carried out to improve the mechanical toughness of cement mortar. Toughness is a basic parameter which has to be improved in brick walls, concrete roads, machine foundations, dams etc. Materials fails due to an impact force and vibrations resulting in minor cracks and bonding failure between bricks, it leads to failure of the structure. In order to avoid the failure toughness has to be enhanced and this can be done by modifying the cement mortar. In this project recycled glass is used in the form of powder less than 45 µm as replacement of cement. Also natural rubber latex is added as 20% replacement of water. Three mortar mix are considered, namely 1:3, 1:4, 1:5. The compressive strength of mortar cubes, and flexural strength are done to determine the strength and toughness of the mortar. Results showed that fracture toughness increased to considerable amount.