Finite Element Analysis of Axially Loaded RC Walls with Openings Strengthened Using Textile Reinforced Mortar for Sustainable Structures

Abstract

Sustainable solutions in the building construction industry promotes the use of innovative materials such as textile reinforced mortar (TRM) as a strengthening technique resulting in a reduced life-cycle cost. This paper presents a nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) of TRM strengthened RC walls with cut-out openings under axial loading. FEA models were developed and validated with two experimental tests from the literature. Subsequently, a parametric study was performed to investigate the contribution of TRM in strengthening RC walls considering various opening sizes, types, numbers and orientations of window openings, and TRM strengthening configurations. The parametric study results revealed that strengthened models with smaller opening sizes had higher axial strength enhancement. Furthermore, the increase in the axial load capacities of walls with door and window openings were 34 and 26%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding control ones. TRM was more effective with a lower opening aspect ratio (Ho/Lo). In addition, confining the wall piers with U-shaped TRM jackets was the most effective configuration in improving the walls’ axial strengths with maximum enhancements of 16 and 22% as compared to the models strengthened with side-bonded sheets and strips, respectively. Finally, the axial strengths of the FEA models were also compared with the existing empirical solution and showed reasonable correlation with an average discrepancy of 15%.