CRM reinforced brick masonry walls: Experimental and parametric numerical investigations

Composite Reinforced Mortar (CRM) is an innovative typology of inorganic composites for the reinforcement of existing masonry structures, consisting of bi-dimensional glass fiber grids embedded in a mortar matrix with a thickness of 30-50mm. Several experimental campaigns have been carried out using diagonal-compression loading, to evaluate in-plane shear strength increase. However, limited research is still available to define the mechanical properties of CRM and its bond behavior to masonry substrates. The lack of knowledge of mechanical parameters also prevents the possibility of numerical simulations to extend experimental results. In this paper, a series of experimental tests were performed on CRM components to provide a mechanical characterization of the system. Based on experimental results, several nonlinear numerical analyses were carried out considering reinforced and unreinforced masonry walls in shear-compression, and the effect on strength, ductility, and stiffness of specimens was pointed out. An analytical procedure was proposed using a regression of numerical results to evaluate CRM efficiency on the seismic behavior of the walls.