Tensile behavior of a glass FRCM composite with textile lap splice exposed to freeze-thaw cycles

Fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites represent a valid alternative to fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for the strengthening of existing reinforced concrete and masonry members. FRCM composites are comprised of high strength textiles embedded within inorganic matrices and can be either applied with a discontinuous (i.e., discrete strips) or continuous layout, such as in the case of masonry elements with large surfaces (e.g., walls and vaults). Continuous applications require textile lap splices to guarantee the continuity of the composite mechanical performance. Recent investigations of the long-term behaviour of FRCM composites showed that aggressive conditions can affect the stress-transfer mechanism between fiber and matrix, determining possible reductions of the composite mechanical properties. This issue can be particularly critical in the lap splice zone due to the complex stress-transfer mechanism. Thus, the behavior of FRCM with textile lap splice under the effect of aggressive environments should be properly investigated. In this paper, the tensile behavior of a glass FRCM with continuous and overlapped textiles is studied using clamping-grip tensile tests. The effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the mechanical properties of the FRCM composite with textile lap splice is studied by comparing the results of specimens exposed to 20 freeze-thaw cycles with those of corresponding control specimens. The results obtained are analyzed in terms of maximum stress, corresponding strain, and slope of the axial stress-axial strain curve.