Seismic and energetic renovation of existing masonry buildings by innovative FRLM composite materials

The energy and seismic requalification of the existing building heritage is a crucial topic, usually investigated by separate approaches and procedures. In this context, the designed technologies must reflect on solutions that can be applied in redevelopment interventions from the perspective of Life Cycle Thinking. Moreover, the choice of a specific solution in the construction sector must face the rise of mechanical and energy performance levels according to the market requests, as well as the demands of a regulatory landscape increasingly focused on the principles of sustainability and LCA-based environmental impact of the entire building process. In this framework, this research aims to design, test and implement innovative strengthening systems made of bio-composite mortar mixtures in which a high-strength fiber is embedded, covering an integrated assessment of new composite materials to reduce the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry buildings while complying with energy saving, sustainable development, and reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. After an initial literature review outlining the progress in innovative techniques for the integrated structural and energy retrofit of existing masonry buildings, the study focuses on the applications of fibre-reinforced lime matrices (FRLM) as thermal plasters, analyzing their mechanical properties and thermo-hygrometric behaviour. Next, a selection of thermal plasters to be used as a matrix of the innovative composite material was carried out; then, the mechanical properties were investigated through compressive and bending tests. The mortar with better mechanical properties was used to assemble composite specimens to be tested under a direct tensile test. Dynamic thermohygrometric simulations by WUFI® Pro and EnergyPlus and numerical FEM simulations using the Abaqus software were performed to check structural and thermal contributions when applied on typically arranged masonry panels of existing buildings. The objective is to demonstrate how it is possible to provide solutions that can encourage ecological and environmental sensitivities of processes and products and define approaches for future projects to achieve sustainable targets positively.