A Review of the Use of Titanium for Reinforcement of Masonry Structures

Titanium has exceptional durability, very high specific strength, a thermal expansion coefficient similar to construction materials, low weight density, and its cost has drastically decreased over the last decades. One of the main requirements in conservation engineering is the durability of the retrofit materials and the reversibility of interventions, and a possible interesting solution is the use of titanium alloys coupled with inorganic matrices made of low-cement or lime mortars. Titanium has recently been used to reinforce important masonry and archeological monuments, but little is known about this. Its use is increasing in conservation engineering without adequate knowledge of its characteristics, grades, and properties. This paper summarizes the main features of titanium alloys, its recent applications, and discusses its drawbacks and advantages compared to other retrofit materials and methods. It is demonstrated that titanium alloys can be effectively used in many applications to reinforce masonry structures while complying with requirements in terms of durability, compatibility, and reversibility. Given its mechanical properties, its use in the repair and reinforcement of masonry structures could be particularly interesting in seismically prone areas.