Experimental evaluation of the adhesion of a FRCM-tuff strengthening system

Nowadays, the use of innovative materials for the reinforcement of existing buildings are the most used technological solutions. Several reinforcement systems are available currently on the market and different research groups dealt with them from experimental point of view; these systems differ both in the reinforcing fibers used and the type of matrix applied. The most common reinforcement systems are those based on polymer matrix (FRP) provided by criteria and design rules consolidated in the application field for both new and existing buildings. In recent years scientifically-based cement matrix reinforcement systems (FRCM) are been used and experimented in the field of existing constructions. Unfortunately, there are currently no guidelines for qualification, as well as design criteria and application rules. It is a completely different reinforcement system compared to the common FRP reinforcements, in fact the cement matrix has a different mechanical behavior when applied to masonry supports. The mechanical behavior, already investigated by numerous authors, highlights the advantages that can be obtained with respect to a traditional reinforcement system. The aspect that still needs to be analyzed and studied is the adhesion between the existing support and the FRCM reinforcement system. In the present work, the attention is focused on the adhesion of a FRCM-tuff reinforcement system; for this purpose, experimental tests were carried out at the Materials and Structural Testing Laboratory of the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Calabria. The specimens consist of blocks of tuff, as regards the support, while the applied FRCM reinforcement system is based on basalt fibers and cement matrix. All results were compared with those obtained from previous research using other support materials and reinforcing fibers.