Innovative seismic and energy retrofitting of wall envelopes using prefabricated textile-reinforced concrete panels with an embedded capillary tube system

This paper investigates the experimental seismic performance of an innovative seismic-plus-energy retrofit solution for RC and URM structures. The intervention aims to simultaneously improve thermal efficiency and seismic safety of buildings with a light, cost-effective, and sustainable approach. The proposed hybrid retrofit system consists of prefabricated textile capillary-tube panels, mechanically connected through mortar or adhesives to existing building envelopes. This study assesses for the first time the seismic behaviour of such a system through quasi-static in-plane cyclic tests on three 3/5-scaled masonry-infilled RC frames. First, the response of a frame retrofitted with textile capillary-tube elements is compared with its two counterparts: a non-retrofitted frame and a frame retrofitted with textile-reinforced mortar and extruded polystyrene boards. Next, the paper demonstrates the application of the panels on three squat URM piers and presents preliminary but promising results from in-plane cyclic shear-compression tests. Overall, the retrofitted specimens exhibited considerably greater stiffness, strength, and displacement capacity than bare configurations. Furthermore, the panels proved to be equally effective in improving overall seismic response and controlling damage with established retrofit techniques based on textile-reinforced mortars. Finally, the thermal performance of the proposed integrated retrofitting system was assessed through in-situ experimentation on a real residential masonry building wall, exhibiting high efficiency.

Automated summary

This paper investigates an innovative seismic-plus-energy retrofit solution for improving the seismic performance and thermal efficiency of buildings. The proposed system consists of prefabricated textile capillary-tube panels that are mechanically connected to existing building envelopes. The study assesses the seismic behavior of the system through quasi-static tests on masonry-infilled RC frames and presents promising results from in-plane cyclic shear-compression tests on URM piers. The retrofitted specimens showed improved stiffness, strength, and displacement capacity compared to bare configurations, and the panels proved to be effective in improving overall seismic response.