Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Mortar (FRCM) for Structural Strengthening and Seismic Retrofit

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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 fabric reinforced cementitious mortar (FRCM) also known as textile-reinforced mortar (TRM). FRCM is composed of high strength, lightweight textile fibres embedded in inorganic, cement-based mortar. FRCM 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 FRCM to rehabilitate existing structures, has suggested that FRCM will be an excellent rehabilitation material. However, engineers are still lacking a thorough understanding of the behaviour of structures rehabilitated with FRCM as well as the design techniques required to work with it.*******The long-term goal of this proposed research program is to incorporate FRCM in building and bridge codes as a strengthening material. This will be achieved on the short term by examining the effect of FRCM on the flexural strength and seismic capacity and deformability of RC members. In the next five years, the program will train 12 highly qualified personal (graduate and 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 FRCM as a strengthening material in Canada and among the first in the world.***