Experimental Study of Adhesion between FRCM and Masonry Support

Abstract

The use of composites with cement matrix seems to acquire an increasing interest in applications to masonry structures, due to their low impact, and a deeper understanding of the mechanical interaction between support and reinforcement is certainly necessary. The effectiveness of these interventions strongly depends on the bond between strengthening material and masonry, on the fibers/matrix interface, as well as on the mechanical properties of the masonry substrate [1]. In this work the attention was focused on the possible improvement of the bond between FRCM and masonry by means of an inorganic primer, which can be spread on the ceramic support before the application of FRCM reinforcement. Two different kinds of brick were tested, in order to simulate more or less porous masonry supports. Results obtained showed that, independently on the kind of brick used (more or less porous) the presence of an inorganic primer always improves bond between masonry support and the cementitiuos matrix of FRCM. In fact, the cementitous matrix of FRCM has been studied and optimized in order to guarantee the best fibers/matrix interface, while it is not necessarily the best option for improving the adhesion with the masonry support. In particular, very effective seems to be the use of very fine inorganic particles (at nanometric scale), which proved to be able to assure the best results in terms of bond strength. Also the fresh consistence of the primer seemed to influence the final result.