| dc.description.abstract | Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) composites represents nowadays an innovative
and efficient technique for strengthening of masonry structural elements. In recent
years, the use of plant fibres within the composite, instead of high strength synthetic
fibres, emerged as a smart solution to increase the sustainability of such
reinforcement system. However, several issues are still open concerning the use of
such fibres in inorganic matrices, and the studies in the literature addressing this
aspect, although showing a great potential of these systems, are not enough to widely
promote such innovative and sustainable technique of reinforcement.
With the aim of raising the awareness in the use of plant fibres based TRMs,
this study proposes a comprehensive mechanical characterisation of a Flax TRM
system conceived as reinforcement of masonry elements. Prior to address the issue
of the composite characterisation, its components, i.e. textile and mortar, were
physically and mechanically characterised. Then, tensile tests on the composite and
shear bond tests on Flax-TRM-to-masonry substrate elements were carried out to
qualify the composite material and its adherence behaviour with a brick-masonry
element. Consequently, on a structural scale, the contribution of the reinforcement
system on the shear capacity of masonry elements was analysed by means of
diagonal compression tests. Finally, innovative solutions to improve the mechanical
performance of the studied reinforcement system were proposed and their efficiency
was discussed.
The study confirms the potential in the use of plant fibre textiles as
reinforcement in TRM systems, outlines the aspects on which it is necessary to act
to increase their efficiency, and shows some technical solutions to improve it. [edited by Author] | it_IT |
