Effect of Polyvinyl Alcohol ((PVA) on Tensile Strength of Mortar

The paper is focused on the results experimental of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) action into tensile
strength of mortar. The main objective of the project is to study the effects of PVA in mortar
mixing in increasing the bond between aggregate and cement paste. PVA acts as an adhesive
material between cement and aggregate of mortar especially for finishing works. PVA is being
incorporated in the mixing as it is an environmental-friendly product and less expensive. Besides
that, the research is to prove that finer aggregates will result in higher tensile strength of mortar.
Another objective is to determine the influence of PVA into Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) of
mortar. ITZ is one of the factors that influence the strength of mortar. This zone is the weakest
link in the mortar matrix because it has the highest porosity. Further properties of ITZ are
discussed in this report. In order to complete the project in time and to achieve the objectives of
the project, several methods need to be implemented. They are project plan, literature review
(properties of mortar, PVA and ITZ), calculations and laboratory works. During laboratory
works, the application of PVA is varied to determine the optimum mix design. The tests for
mortar samples are tensile test and compressive test. Testing onto mortar is done for 3rd day, 7th
day and 28th day. Based on the results obtained from experiments, it can be concluded that PVA
increases tensile strength but reduces the compressive strength of mortar. The recommendation
from this project is that further studies of behavior of PVA into shrinkage of mortar can be done.
This research might lead to a stage where PVA will replace other materials in order to increase
tensile strength of mortar