Direct Shear Bond Tests of Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix Materials

Abstract

Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites consist of a dry fiber fabric embedded in an inorganic mortar that may be enriched with short fibers. These composites are particularly well-suited for the strengthening of historical buildings due to their high compatibility with the substrate, vapor permeability, and durability. One of the most critical factors influencing the effectiveness of a composite applied externally to masonry or concrete structures is debonding of the system from the substrate. In FRCM systems, the failure is often localized at the mortar–fabric interface. This paper presents a summary of experimental investigations of the bond properties of six different FRCM systems in various configurations of bond length and substrate material. Finally, some considerations and indications for inclusion of the test procedure in guidelines and acceptance criteria are presented.