Original Article

Contribution of aluminum fibers to mortar performance: experimental approach and Weibull modeling

Faculty of Technology, Laboratory of construction engineering and architecture (LGCA), University of Bejaia, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria

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Received: 7 September 2025
Accepted: 16 March 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of incorporating aluminum fibers, in proportions ranging from 0% to 2.5%, on the mechanical and thermal properties of cement-based mortars. Tests were conducted after 7 and 28 days of curing. Experimental results indicate that a fiber content of 2% yields the highest compressive strength, while a progressive improvement in flexural strength is observed with increasing fiber content, reaching a maximum at the same concentration. Regarding thermal behavior, a significant reduction in thermal conductivity was observed, particularly between 0% and 1.5%, indicating an insulating effect induced by fiber addition. In addition, open porosity, bulk density, and water absorption were characterized in accordance with relevant standards to evaluate the influence of fibers on the mortar’s microstructure. The novelty of this research lies in the application of the two-parameter Weibull statistical model to describe the dispersion of compressive strength measurements, accounting for the heterogeneous nature of the material. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the overall behavior of fiber-reinforced mortars and open new perspectives for optimizing their performance in applications with demanding mechanical and thermal requirements.