Heritage Structural Preservation Using a Newly Developed Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) System for Strengthening Historic Unreinforced Masonry Structures

摘要

Masonry is one of the most common structural materials used in old/historic structures. The lack of tensile resistance of the masonry makes these structures particularly vulnerable during earthquakes. A newly developed advanced composite system with mortar has been created to help address these issues. A textile reinforced mortar (TRM) system is an advanced composite system using bidirectional carbon or basalt reinforcing combined with cement-based or lime-based mortar. The system was developed to address heritage structures made of brick, stone, clay and even earth blocks (mud blocks). In several countries it is forbidden by law to use a destructive or irreversible technique for historical structures. Unlike the application of FRP with epoxy resin, the TRM System is reversible, allowing, for example, post-earthquake assessment of the damaged substratum. This paper will review some of the structural testing and related design procedures for in-plane and out-of-plane strengthening. Several case studies will also be presented.