Performance Evaluation of Sheep Wool Fibers and Recycled Aggregates in Mortar

This paper examines the use of sheep wool and recycled aggregates (recycled concrete aggregate, reclaimed asphalt aggregate, recycled brick aggregate) in mortars. Nine cement mortars were prepared: a reference mortar with natural aggregate and no fibers, and eight mortars with 30% recycled aggregate, either fiber-free or micro-reinforced with 0.1% by mass of sheep wool fibers. The study investigates the effects of these components on the workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure of mortars. Micro-reinforcing mortars with sheep wool fibers or partially replacing natural aggregate with recycled aggregates reduces workability by up to 32%. Mortars with recycled concrete and recycled brick aggregates showed increased compressive and flexural strength compared to the reference mortar. The combined formulation (recycled brick with sheep wool micro-reinforcement) achieved the highest compressive strength, increasing by 24.3% while maintaining excellent flexural performance. Three-point bending tests with displacement control revealed improved post-crack behavior and greater ductility in fiber micro-reinforced specimens compared to those without fibers. The results support the use of sheep wool fibers in mortars, demonstrate the satisfactory performance of recycled aggregates, and indicate promising potential for formulations combining sheep wool fiber and recycled aggregate as sustainable and waste-reducing alternatives in mortars.