Textile-reinforced mortar: Durability in salty environment

• Published in: Cement & concrete composites Vol. 130; p. 104534
• Main Authors: Alatawna, Amr, Nahum, Lior, Sripada, Raghu, Birenboim, Matan, Regev, Oren, Peled, Alva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2022
• Subjects: Acoustic emission; Cement composites; Chloride condition; Crystals admixture; Durability; Textile reinforced mortar; Acoustic emission; Cement composites; Durability; Textile reinforced mortar; Crystals admixture; Chloride condition
• ISSN: 0958-9465; 1873-393X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104534

Reinforcing a fine-grained cement-based matrix with a textile fabric is an emerging approach in civil engineering, termed Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM). We propose to load the ultra-high-performance matrix with nano-additives, i.e., a crystalline admixture (CA) or CA plus alumina nanofibers. The mix was designed to yield flow values - in the fresh state - suitable for retrofitting, and to provide high compressive strength. Examination of the durability of the TRM elements exposed to salty environments unexpectedly showed enhanced tensile strength (<81%). This is owing to the growth of salt crystals at the matrix–textile interface resulting in stronger bond strength, as imaged by scanning electron microscopy, identified by acoustic emission measurements, and validated by pull-off tests.
•The developed textile reinforced mortar composites were durable in a salty environment.•Nano-additives enhanced the mortar's compressive strength and the stress at the first crack of the textile reinforced mortar.•Textile–mortar matrix bond strength was enhanced in samples cured in NaCl solution.•Salt-cured vs. tap-water-cured textile reinforced mortars showed more fine cracks with higher energy.