Novelty FRP and TRM strengthening systems applied to stone masonry walls: Experimental programme presentation (I)

The use of Fibber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM) solutions is becoming a usual solution in the strengthening concrete and masonry structures. Furthermore, these FRP systems seem to be a promising solution for cultural heritage, as in some occasions they could be a reversible system, requiring minimum interventions in the monument. Even though the general methodology is quite developed, there are no design and calculation full-recognized guidelines that allow a safety application of this technology. The purpose of this paper is to present an overall picture of the actual situation of the FRP and TRM strengthening systems, applied to ancient stone masonry walls. This paper will present the actual status of an international experimental programme dedicated to the study of mortars and stone components of the full scale wall elements (E:1/3) to be tested in future months, under static loading process. The combination of FRP and TRM strengthening solution with heritage structures (usually decayed substrates and different materials than concrete, such us masonry, adobe bricks, timber, etc.) it seems to be promising from in course research actions all around Europe. For example, in ancient structures, the anchorage problems are much more pronounced, because of the decayed situation of substrates.