Textile reinforced mortar (TRM) for structural strengthening and seismic retrofitting

加拿大的基础设施主要由钢筋混凝土（RC）建造，价值数万亿美元。多年来，对基础设施的需求不断增加，但由于不同的破坏机制，基础设施的状态不断恶化。这一事实使公众处于危险之中，也使加拿大的经济增长处于危险之中。

Canada's infrastructure, mostly built with reinforced concrete (RC), is worth trillions of dollars. Over the years, the demand on the infrastructure has increased, while its state has deteriorated due to different damaging mechanisms. This fact has put the public in danger as well as Canada's economic growth in jeopardy. To meet this challenge, engineers and researchers have been looking into the use of more durable and effective materials to rehabilitate existing structures. The newest emerging and innovative technology in the rehabilitation field is textile-reinforced mortar (TRM). TRM is composed of high strength, lightweight textile fibres embedded in inorganic, cement-based mortar. TRM are characterized by their high strength-weight ratio, non-corrosiveness, ability to resist high temperatures and to be applied on wet surfaces. The little research that was conducted so far to investigate the feasibility of TRM to rehabilitate existing structures, has suggested that TRM will be an excellent rehabilitation material. However, we are still lacking a thorough understanding of the behaviour of structures rehabilitated with TRM as well as the design techniques required to work with it. The long-term goal of this proposed research program is to incorporate TRM in building and bridge codes as a strengthening and repair material. This will be achieved on the short term by examining the effect of TRM on the flexural strength and seismic capacity and deformability of RC members. In the next five years, the program will train few highly qualified personal (five graduate and several undergraduate students) which will help in the creation of high-value jobs in Canada. This research program innovation lays in developing an efficient repair method using sustainable materials that will save time and cost compared to other repair methods, thus will increase public safety and the infrastructure reliability. What distinguishes this proposal is the fact that it will be the first comprehensive study on TRM as rehabilitation and strengthening material in Canada and among the first in the world.