REVIEW PAPER

A REVIEW ON TEXTILE REINFORCED MORTAR AND FIBER

REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES FOR
STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
By

H. R. PRIYANKA * MADHAVI K. **
*-** Department of Civil Engineering, RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India.

Date Received: 07/06/2020 Date Revised: 26/06/2020 Date Accepted: 13/07/2020

ABSTRACT
Fibre reinforced composites are being used to strengthen the structural components. Fibre Reinforced Polymer which
consists of organic matrices are widely used for structural retrofitting due to its high strength to weight ratio. The use of
fibre reinforced cementitious mortar (FRCM) is gaining popularity due to their ability to evade the problems associated
with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) systems. The advantages of FRCM are (i) mortar used in FRCM system is more
compatible with the concrete and masonry substrate compared to epoxy; (ii) high thermal conductivity; (iii) fire
resistance and (iv) can be applied on wet surfaces. Recycled materials can be incorporated in FRCM systems leading to
a sustainable product with less impact on the environment. Therefore, the use of FRCM is becoming attractive for
retrofitting of structures than FRP which are being widely used. This paper addresses the application of textile reinforced
mortar (TRM) composites over FRP in strengthening of structural members.
Keywords: Textile Reinforced Mortar, Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Fibre, Composite.

INTRODUCTION
The deterioration of reinforced concrete structural
members occurs due to several causes such as exposure
to severe environmental conditions. Several techniques
have been proposed in the past to mitigate these effects
and increase service life of structure (Chen & Teng, 2003).
Fiber reinforced composites as shown in Figure 1. are
budding to be better option to retrofit reinforced structures
due to its high strength, light weight, higher stiffness and also
does not interfere the regular function of the building. These
include Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) system and
Figure 1. Fiber Reinforced Composite (Jawaid et al., 2018)
ferrocement. A number of studies have been carried out by
many researchers worldwide regarding fibre reinforced strengthen RC structures have been studied and widely
composites to strengthen the structures (Achudhan et al., accepted (Balachandar et al., 2019; Das et al., 2019).
2019; Arpitha & Yogesha, 2017; Cheon et al., 2020; Despite the added advantage and effectiveness, the FRP
Holčapek et al., 2017; Pani et al., 2019; Pohoryles & strengthening systems have major drawbacks such as i)
Bournas, 2020). Upgrading the members is one among the handling and application of epoxy resin ii) lack of
simplest technique. Addition or installation of formwork compatibility iii) high cost. To replace the drawbacks of FRP
adds weight to the members and is labour intensive. The a new system was introduced called as textile reinforced
usage of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) systems to mortars. The organic matrices consisting of epoxy is

34 i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, Vol. 10 l

No. 2 l
March - May 2020