Evaluation of mechanical and structural properties of local masonry walls reinforced with TRM glass fiber

Original Article

Abstract

Artisanal masonry continues to be one of the most widely used complementary construction materials in rural and urban housing in Ecuador; therefore, studying its behavior under seismic actions is of critical importance. The use of composite materials such as textile-reinforced mortars (TRM), particularly glass fiber–reinforced mortars, has emerged as a viable alternative to improve the strength and stability of existing masonry walls. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of glass fiber TRM on the structural performance of artisanal brick masonry. The reinforcement was applied on one and two faces of the masonry using two types of meshes with different areal weights. For this purpose, axial compression tests on masonry prisms were conducted in accordance with ASTM C1314, and diagonal compression tests on masonry panels were performed following ASTM E519. Axial load and shortening were recorded for the prism tests, while applied load and displacements along both diagonals were measured for the masonry panels using linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs). The results showed that TRM does not produce significant increases in the axial compressive strength of the prisms but improves their initial stiffness. In contrast, TRM-reinforced masonry panels exhibited increased shear strength compared to unreinforced panels, demonstrating a more stable and less brittle response, and confirming TRM as an effective technique for the rehabilitation of local artisanal masonry walls.