A New Fabric Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar (FRGM) with Mechanical and Energy Benefits

Abstract

A large part of the European building Heritage is dated back over centuries. Consequently, its structural and thermal performances are often inadequate. Commonly, different interventions are proposed for solving these issues separately. However, reasonable drawbacks arise when the structural retrofitting requires a direct contact with the target-member while the insulation layer is potentially interposed in between. In this scenario, the present research proposes a novel and unique system able to guarantee both the energetic and the structural retrofitting. Inorganic Matrix Composites (IMCs) are a promising solution in this sense. Among them, the Fabric Reinforced Cementitous Matrix (FRCM) is one of the most used; or rather a composite made of a fabric (open grid or mesh) within an inorganic matrix (lime or cement based). Even if the inorganic matrix has a relevant thickness (if compared with the one of the fabric), its thermal resistance is insufficient. The novelty of this work consists in assessing a new geo-polymeric FRCM-system by combining fly-ash binder (reused material) and expanded glass aggregate (recycled material). Direct tensile tests, for measuring the tensile strength, ultimate strain and elastic modulus, were performed in addition to thermal conductivity tests. The results were compared with those of traditional FRCM (commercially available). The potentiality of the proposal for structural and energy retrofitting is discussed and examples of its possible application are also reported.

Thermal and Seismic Capacity Improvements for Masonry Building Heritage: A Unified Retrofitting System

“…At this scope, clay brick masonry panels were constructed and reinforced; thus, thermal conductivity test and diagonal compressive test were carried out. The goal was to compare the performances of a FRCM (lime-based matrix) with respect to the FRGM from Reference [25] by considering same reinforcing fabric (glass mesh) and identical geometrical dimensions (i.e., thickness of the plaster, brick, mortar joints, and masonry texture).…”

“…The result was a geopolymer-based mortar with valuable mechanical and thermal properties. Furthermore, a new inorganic-based composite was also developed by combining a glass fabric with the innovative mortar, making a Fabric Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar (FRGM), as reported in Reference [25]. The FRGM was found to have comparable tensile strength and global tensile stress-strain behavior with respect a traditional FRCM when the same fabric was considered.…”

“…On the other hand, the insulating capacity was significantly enhanced, evidencing the suitability of the FRGM for energy retrofitting contrarily to the FRCM that is commonly not insulating. Numerical and theoretical simulations were both provided in Reference [25] in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new system in case of masonry wall application. The results confirmed the double benefit of the FRGM installation in terms of shear strength and thermal transmittance.…”

The Effectiveness of the DIC as a Measurement System in SRG Shear Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Beams

“…Composite materials are well used in several engineering applications, ranging from marine to civil [1][2][3][4]. The fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) system is among the most widely used composite material in civil engineering applications due to its high mechanical performance, improved durability, and lightness [5,6].…”

Utilization of Treated Agricultural Residue Ash as Sodium Silicate in Alkali Activated Slag Systems

“…It has been shown that alkali activated materials, particularly alkali activated slag, could be produced with a comparable performance to that of the conventional concrete [ 7 ]. Studies have also revealed that alkali activated materials could be used as repair materials [ 8 , 9 ].…”