State-of-the-art on strengthening of masonry structures with textile reinforced mortar (TRM)

The emerging need to upgrade the structural performance of buildings and structures has been recently alleviated with the newly developed textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) composites. This need becomes vital for unreinforced masonry structures (URM) which are most vulnerable to earthquakes. Very often the seismic strengthening technique opted for these structures involves the application of a composite material overlay to either one or both faces of the walls. As opposed to fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP), in TRM the high-strength fibres are embedded in an inorganic matrix. In consequence, the matrix, usually a cementitious mortar, offers compatibility with substrates, lower costs, and better performance at high temperatures, while permeability is enhanced and reversibility is achieved. Given these advantages, it is not surprising that TRM has gained considerable popularity for strengthening masonry structures. This paper addresses the characteristics of TRM composites and gives an insight into relevant experimental procedures and results of retrofitted masonry elements to illustrate the effectiveness of TRM for enhancing strength and deformation capacity. Finally, analytical models regarding the capacity of columns, spandrel beams and piers are briefly discussed.