Characterization of Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Composites for Structural Retrofitting

Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) composites are inorganic-matrix innovative materials often particularly suited for strengthening of masonry and concrete structures. These materials are composed of a dry grid of fibers (i.e. an open-mesh textile) embedded in an inorganic-matrix enriched with short fibers. In this paper, some mechanical tests proposed for the mechanical characterization of FRCM composites are presented and discussed. Initially, the mechanical properties of the components (matrix and dry fibers) are described. Then, tensile, debonding, and pull-out test set-ups are presented. Tensile tests are employed to obtain the FRCM stress-strain behavior and identify the main mechanical properties, whereas bond tests (debonding and pull-out) are used to evaluate the failure mode and study the bond behavior of the FRCM composite. The results of some of these experimental tests are necessary to obtain a complete assessment of the FRCM composite in accordance with the current Italian guidelines.