Textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) versus FRP as strengthening material of URM walls: in-plane cyclic loading

In this study the application of a new structural material, namely textile-reinforced mortar (TRM), as a means of increasing the load carrying capacity and deformability of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to cyclic in-plane loading is experimentally investigated. The application of externally bonded TRM is considered in this work as an alternative method to the application of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). Hence, the effectiveness of TRM overlays is evaluated in comparison to the one provided by FRPs. Medium-scale tests were carried out on 22 masonry walls subjected to in-plane cyclic loading. Three types of specimens were used: (a) shear walls; (b) beam-columns; and (c) beams. The parameters under investigation included the matrix material (mortar versus resin), the number of textile layers and the compressive stress level applied to shear walls and beam-columns. Compared with their resin-impregnated counterparts, mortar-impregnated textiles may result in generally lower effectiveness in terms of strength, but in much higher in terms of deformability. From the results obtained in this study it is believed that TRMs hold strong promise as a solution for the structural upgrading of masonry structures under in-plane loading.