We report on experimental and numerical investigations of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) strengthening systems, an innovative solution for reinforcing historical masonry structures. The experimental campaign presented in this paper is original and concerns two commercial TRM applications to single-leaf clay masonry panels. The proposed FE modelling is based on a multiscale approach with the possibility of simulating bed joints sliding and TRM-reinforcement debonding. This last phenomenon is frequently reported in the experimental literature and it has been observed also in our experimental tests. The numerical model is applied to study the behaviour of TRM reinforced masonry panels under diagonal compression tests.

The present paper reports an experimental study coupled with a numerical modelling approach to simulate masonry walls strengthened with textile-reinforced mortar (TRM). This innovative reinforcing technique is based on high-strength fibre grids embedded into inorganic matrices, and it has recently been promoted for the seismic retrofitting of historical masonry buildings. In the experimental campaign presented here, two different commercial TRM systems are applied to single-leaf clay masonry panels. The specimens are then subjected to diagonal compression tests in order to evaluate the effects of TRM on the structural performance. The proposed finite element (FE) model, based on an original multiscale approach, is employed to simulate the diagonal compression tests. The numerical results show a very good agreement with the experimental data, including in terms of failure mode. In particular, the approach reproduces the macroscopic behaviour of the masonry panels as regards the force-displacement response, and it allows for the possibility of simulating bed joint sliding and TRM layer debonding.