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The aim of the present paper is to investigate both flexural and fracture properties of a cement-based mortar reinforced with Date Palm Mesh (DPM) fibres. In particular, three-point bending tests on DPM fibre-reinforced specimens (with different fibre volume fractions) are performed. On the basis of the experimental results, the value of flexural strength is computed as a function of the peak load according to the UNI Recommendations, whereas the value of fracture toughness is analytically determined according to the Modified Two-Parameter Model (MTPM) recently proposed by some of the present authors for quasi-brittle materials.

The aim of this study is to assess the possibility of utilizing waste marble dust (WMD) as a partial cement substitution in air-cured mortar (ACM). Three different levels of cement replacement were analyzed: 5%, 10% and 15% by cement weight. The specimens were manufactured in a local laboratory at an air temperature of 22 ± 2 °C and a humidity equal to 20 ± 1%. The chemical and physical properties of ordinary Portland cement and WMD has been found to be the most crucial parameters. A variety of macroscopic tests, such as apparent density, porosity and compressive strength, were proposed in order to explain the effect of utilizing the WMD on the ACM. To confirm the results of the macroscopic properties, thorough microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. The obtained results of this study indicate that replacing cement with WMD affects the physical and mechanical properties of air-cured mortar. The apparent density and compressive strength decrease while the porosity increases.

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