Innovative strengthening systems with composite materials: from experimentation

to application

FRP SYSTEM
Fiber Reinforced Polymers consist of long and continuous fibers impregnated with an organic polymer matrix
(epoxy resin). The fibers (carbon, glass, basalt) have different mechanical properties: tensile strength, elastic
modulus, elongation. FRP are indicated for bending, shear, compression and combined axial-flexural
strengthening of elements (beam, pillar, slab and joint) in reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and wooden
structures.

EXPERIMENTATION I.C.O.N.S. PROJECT

Frame structure in reinforced concrete in real scale consisting of two parallel frames connected by rigid slabs;
designed according to Eurocode 8 (Displacement Based Design). The structure was subjected to two pseudo-
dynamic tests, the first corresponding to the design earthquake and the second to an earthquake equal to
1,5 times the previous one. Following the significant damage, the frames were repaired and the
reinforcement was applied using unidirectional carbon fiber fabrics for wrapping the pillars and quadriaxial
carbon fiber fabrics for repairing the beam-pillar nodes. The structure repaired and reinforced with FRP
showed a very similar response to the original one under earthquake but showed a greater deformation
capacity. Moreover, unlike the original structure, it was able to support the effects produced by an
earthquake equal to 1,5 times that of the design earthquake.

EXPERIMENTATION UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Exterior exposure: determine the ability of the materials under evaluation to resist deterioration of its
electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water. No specimens
showed surface changes (such as erosion, cracking, crazing and chalking) after a visual inspection with a high
resolution microscope, according to the conditions of acceptance of AC125, as well as 90 percent retention
of the tensile properties.
Freezing and thawing: determine the average experimental percentage retention of tensile strength, tensile
modulus, elongation, glass transition temperature, and interlaminar shear strength. Verify also minimum
requirements for glass transition temperature and shear bond strength. No specimens showed surface
changes (such as erosion, cracking, crazing and chalking) after a visual inspection with a high resolution
microscope, according to the conditions of acceptance of AC125, as well as 90% retention corresponding to
the tensile properties, minimum glass transition temperature of 60°C (140°F), and of 1.38 MPa (200 psi) for
shear bond strength.
Water, salt water, alkali, dry heat resistance: determine the average experimental percentage retention of
tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation, glass transition temperature, interlaminar shear strength.
Verify also minimum requirements for glass transition temperature and shear bond strength. No specimens
showed surface changes (such as erosion, cracking, crazing and chalking) after a visual inspection with a high
resolution microscope, according to the conditions of acceptance of AC125, as well as 90 or 85 percent
retention for the 1000 and 3000 hrs exposure, respectively corresponding to the tensile and interlaminar
shear strength properties, minimum glass transition temperature of 60°C (140°F), and of 1.38 MPa (200 psi)
for shear bond strength.
 CRM AND FRCM SYSTEM
Composite Reinforced Mortar and Fibers Reinforced Cementitious Matrix are composed of an inorganic
matrix (mortar) in which is incorporated a fiber mesh. The fibers (carbon, glass, basalt) have different
mechanical properties: tensile strength, elastic modulus, elongation.
CRM systems are composed of mortars suitable for application in thickness of 3-4 cm, able to cover even very
irregular walls, combined with glass A.R. fiber mesh. Due to the application thickness, the system needs to
be mechanically connected to the masonry with glass fiber connectors. CRM are indicated for shear,
compression and combined axial-flexural strengthening in the plane and out of plane of masonry elements.
FRCM systems are composed of special fiber-reinforced mortars to be applied in low thickness (about 1-1,5
cm) in combination with different types of fiber reinforcement mesh (glass, basalt or carbon). FRCM are
indicated for shear strengthening of masonry elements, even vaulted.
EXPERIMENTATION M.E.T.RI.C.S. PROJECT
Single story structure in 1:2 scale made of masonry with wooden slab repaired and reinforced with FRCM
systems after damage. The structure was tested on a vibrating table and subjected to a series of seismic
sequences simulated with accelerograms relating to recent events in Italy. After repair and reinforcement,
the structure showed no damage even for events of significantly higher intensity (+ 40%), in terms of PGA,
compared to the seismic sequence that had caused the damage.
 HPC SYSTEM (FRC Technology)
High Performance Concrete consists of two-component cement mortars with very high mechanical strength,
fiber-reinforced with rigid steel fibers and high ductility performance. HPC are indicated to increase the
bending, shear, combined axial-flexural resistance of concrete beams, pillars and joints by jacketing and to
give greater ductility to the structure, furthermore, they are suitable to strengthen the reinforced concrete,
wooden and steel floors with a low-thickness upper surfaces.
EXPERIMENTATION DPC-RELUIS PROJECT
Beam-pillar joints extracted from an existing building in reinforced concrete built in the 1960s in L'Aquila (IT)
and damaged by earthquake in 2009. The structural frame system was characterized by poor concrete
properties and armor details Italian typical of existing buildings designed before the 1970s. The
reinforcement was carried out by removing the cortical concrete, to a depth of about 40 mm, until the
perimetric bars. The cover was then restored with the application of the HPC system. The crack pattern has
shown how the reinforcement system is able to pass from the fragile crisis of the node to the development
of a plastic hinge to the beam-node interface at the end of beam, producing a considerable increase of
dissipated energy (+ 85%).