Possibilities of Using Fiber Reinforced Mortar and Textile Reinforced Mortar for Strengthening Masonry Columns in Rehabilitation Projects

Abstract

While working on rehabilitating buildings we run across structural masonry columns that carry very little bending strength and have a limited compression capacity. These columns are frequently placed between window openings. The possibility of traditionally strengthening them with reinforced concrete or steel elements risks to alter their geometry, their capacity on sustaining moisture transfer and alter their thermal insulating characteristics possibly leading to other problems caused by condensation. On new buildings that use contemporary masonry elements and have monolithic walls we come across the situation of having column like masonry elements between two windows. These elements are typically not load bearing but must resist wind pressure and dynamic horizontal loads from earthquakes while limiting thermal bridging between external and internal surfaces. This paper explores solutions for strengthening the masonry columns mentioned above using fiber reinforced mortar (FRM) and textile reinforced mortar (TRM). It also explores if there are advantages in combining the two solutions in order to limit crack development while gaining load bearing and flexural strength. The relative small thickness of the mortar on the surface provides the opportunity to limit the heat transfer and keep the external appearance of the masonry columns in comparison to using much thicker concrete strengthening solutions. For the historic buildings, the use of compatible lime based mortars as a matrix for fibers and textile mesh is explored. This would limit the potential damage that could be done by using cement mortars that seal the traditional mortar masonry and would achieve more structural strength.