Design Criteria for Masonry Reinforcement with Composite Reinforced Mortars (CRM)

There is an emerging need to upgrade historic masonry buildings and infrastructures which are most vulnerable to earthquakes. An objective of a long-term research program at Perugia University, Italy was developing design criteria for masonry reinforcement using a new class of materials, using Composite Reinforced Mortars (CRM). These are typically made of fiberglass meshes embedded into a cementitious or lime mortar, which offers higher sustainability features, in terms of vapour permeability and compatibility with masonry, lower costs, and better performance at high temperatures, compared to more traditional steel rebar jacketing or epoxy-bonded composites. These design criteria have been based on a comprehensive experimental and numerical research plan that included a study of the influence of reinforcing material, coating and wall thickness, and associated masonry strength and elastic properties, and the interaction of different stress states on bond behavior at interface masonry-to-coating. A design equation suitable for ultimate load design has been developed. Finally, analytical models regarding the lateral capacity of shear walls are briefly discussed.