Residual Strength and Durability of Glass fiber FRCM and CRM Systems Aged in Alkaline Environments

Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) and Composite Reinforced Mortar (CRM) systems are used as Externally Bonded Reinforcements (EBR) in civil and historical construction. These materials are made by fibrous reinforcement, in forms of dry (FRCM) or cured (CRM) meshes embedded in a cementitious/hydraulic lime matrix. At present, this technology is considered very promising in the field of structural strengthening, retrofitting and repair existing structures. This is true especially in those cases of masonry and historical buildings, due to the specific criteria of conservation and compatibility with the substrate that need to be fulfilled. These materials, in fact, results more compatible with masonry substrate because of the inorganic matrix, instead of polymeric resin used for the well-known FRP systems (Fiber Reinforced Polymers). The recent use of these new materials in civil engineering needs appropriate and complete guidelines, that regard not only the design aspects but also the durability features. This paper presents the results of a large experimental program focused on the durability of FRCM and CRM systems and their single components, in different alkaline environments. For the whole experimental campaign, the samples have been immersed into three different alkaline solutions, for four exposure times (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 hrs). In addition, in order to study the different accelerating effects due to temperature, three different temperatures were maintained during the ageing periods: 23°C, 40°C and 70°C. The results about the mechanical characterization of residual properties are discussed in order to highlight the influence of alkaline environments on the mechanical properties of single elements and the whole strengthening systems that were tested herein.