Abstract
This paper presents the results of direct tensile tests performed on six different FRCM (fabric reinforced cementitious matrix) strengthening systems used for masonry structures. The emphasis was placed on the determination of the mechanical parameters of each tested system and a comparison of their tensile behaviour in terms of first crack stress, ultimate stress, ultimate strain, cracking pattern, failure mode and idealised tensile stress-strain curve. In addition to the basic mechanical tensile parameters, accidental load eccentricities, matrix tensile strengths, and matrix modules of elasticity were estimated. The results of the tests showed that the tensile behaviour of FRCM composites strongly depends on the parameters of the constituent materials (matrix and fabric). In the tests, tensile failure of reinforcement and fibre slippage within the matrix were observed. The presented research showed that the accidental eccentricities did not substantially affect the obtained results and that the more slender the specimen used, the more consistent the obtained results. The analysis based on a rule of mixtures showed that the direct tensile to flexural tensile strength ratio of the matrixes used in the test was 0.2 to 0.4. Finally, the tensile stress–strain relationship for the tested FRCMs was idealised by a bi- or tri-linear curve.
Highlights
FRCM composites are materials composed of structural reinforcing fibre mesh embedded in an inorganic matrix
This paper presents the results of direct tensile tests performed on six different FRCM strengthening systems used for masonry structures
The results of direct tensile tests performed on FRCM systems for strengthening masonry structures have been presented in this paper
Summary
FRCM (fabric reinforced cementitious matrix) composites are materials composed of structural reinforcing fibre mesh (fabric) embedded in an inorganic matrix. The same authors in [24] presented an experimental study of tensile behaviour of FRCMs made with five mortar matrixes and two different textiles (glass-aramid, ultrahigh tensile strength steel). Paper [31] presents the results of tensile tests performed on specimens of eight different glass FRCM strengthening systems. The above mentioned studies on the tensile behaviour of FRCM materials have shown that the mechanical properties of matrix and fabric, fibre type, fabric architecture, setup configuration (type of clamping, specimen geometry), as well as matrix–fabric bond properties affect the stress–strain relationship (stiffness, ultimate stress/strain), crack pattern and failure mode of the tested specimens. This paper presents the results of direct tensile tests performed on six different FRCM strengthening systems used for masonry structures. FRCM materials, the recommendations concerning the construction of an idealised tensile stress–strain curve given in references [26,44,45,48] are not applicable
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