Environmental Impacts of Jute Fiber-reinforced Mortars

Background Mortar is an essential material in the construction industry, serving as a binding agent in masonry. Integrating natural fibers into construction materials has gained significant attention due to their potential to enhance mechanical properties while promoting sustainability. However, mortar production involves processes that contribute to environmental impacts. In this research, jute fiber was selected as a reinforcement for mortar due to its potential to provide a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibers, offering a promising solution for reducing the environmental footprint of construction materials. Objective This paper aims to investigate the mechanical properties and environmental impact of jute fiber mortar composites during the product stage with a cradle-to-gate approach, comparing their performance with that of traditional mortar used in Colombia. Methods The environmental performance of jute fiber-reinforced mortar (JFRM) was assessed using the CML-2001 methodology with OpenLCA software, alongside an Eco-audit tool to estimate the energy consumption and carbon emissions across the material, manufacturing, and transportation phases. Jute fiber (JF) was characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the compressive strength of mortar incorporating jute fiber at 0%, 1%, and 2% by weight was evaluated after a 21-day curing period. Results Mortars modified with jute fiber (JF) show a reduction in compressive strength compared to plain composites, with decreases of approximately 15% for 1% JF and 21% for 2% JF. However, according to Colombian construction standards, composites with 1% JF still meet the minimum compressive strength requirements for plaster mortars. Additionally, these mortars offer excellent ductility and lower density than those without fibers. From an environmental perspective, the life cycle assessment results demonstrate that using 1% JF imposes a lower ecological burden than using 2%, with the Global Warming Potential (GWP) being the most significant impact category. While JF increases the GWP due to the emission of biogenic methane, the overall GWP impact rises by 2.8% and 3.9% with the addition of 1% and 2% JF, respectively. Furthermore, the eutrophication potential increases by 2.24% due to the use of fertilizers and insecticides in JF agricultural production. These findings suggest that the optimal balance between environmental impact and mechanical performance is achieved with 1% JF in the mortar. Conclusion Findings suggest that mortars reinforced with 1% jute fiber are suitable for cement composites due to their adequate physic-chemical properties and their positive effect from a sustainability standpoint.