Development and corroboration of a novel Natural Textile Reinforced Mortar System for masonry retrofitting

Effective structural upgrading solutions are becoming increasingly important in Europe, due to the ageing building stock and the need for preserving heritage buildings.

When the reinforcement of existing and historic masonry structures is faced, several challenges with respect to the compatibility, cost-efficiency and environmental impact of the methods used need to be answered.

Project NaTeRM promises a breakthrough in realizing sustainable retrofitting solutions via the development of a novel externally bonded masonry reinforcement system comprising of plant fibre textiles embedded in inorganic lime-based matrix.

This Natural Textile Reinforced Mortar (NTRM) will offer several advantages compared to analogous systems that incorporate synthetic fabrics. Natural fibres are bio-renewable, bio-degradable and have good economic feasibility.

They also offer a higher degree of flexibility that precludes over-stiffening effects, enabling better mechanical behaviour when applied on weak masonry. The plant fibres used in this study will receive a natural hydrophobic treatment that will ensure adequate durability.

The design of a vapour permeable lime matrix will guarantee compatibility with a wide range of masonry substrates, including porous and salt-laden surfaces.

The planned research activities include experimental work for the production and characterization of the matrix material and of the composite, pilot applications on full-scale walls and computational studies for validating operational performance and for developing analysis tools for the proposed applications.

The project goes several steps beyond the state-of-the-art which still lacks systematic investigations, design guidelines and real-scale applications of NTRM.

The outcomes obtained will assist towards enhancing resilience of the built environment, increasing the lifetime of existing buildings, protecting cultural patrimony, and promoting decarbonation in the construction and textile industries.