Bond and tensile behaviour of textile reinforced mortars with traditional and alternative matrices

Abstract

Reinforced and prestressed concrete structures frequently need to be repaired and strengthened during their service life due to corrosion deterioration and other pathologies. Composite materials, such as textile reinforced mortar (TRM), have emerged as a promising solution for restoring or improving the load bearing capacity of structural concrete. Previous studies have demonstrated that the effectiveness of this strengthening technique relies mostly on the bond between the textile and the matrix as well as on the bonded length to the substrate. The research presented in this paper aims to evaluate the efficiency of bond characteristics as well as the mechanical properties of various TRM systems. Carbon and basalt textiles were investigated along with conventional cement mortar and alternative mortars with short glass or synthetic fibres. To examine the bond behaviour of each system, a single lap shear test configuration was used. Tensile testing was carried out using a clevis grip or a clamping configuration. The tension and bond properties obtained from the tests are analysed and compared, and recommendations are presented regarding the bond and tensile test setups.