Tensile and direct shear responses of basalt-fibre reinforced mortar based materials

Abstract

In recent years basalt fabric reinforced cementitious composites have attracted great attention because they result to be effective in structural strengthening and cost/environment efficient. Nevertheless, their mechanical performances are still under investigation in order to provide reliable values of mechanical parameters for design purposes. This study is, thus, focused on deepening the knowledge of this type of inorganic matrix composite. In particular, the influence of the bonded lengths, the interaction matrix/fabric and the stress-transfer mechanisms have been investigated by single-lap direct shear tests performed on FRCM strengthened masonry prisms. Moreover, the tensile response has been evaluated and the constitutive behaviour identified by means of direct tensile tests.