Tommaso D'Antino

Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of Single-Lap Direct Shear Tests of FRCM-Concrete Joints Using a Cohesive Damaged Contact Approach

AbstractThe bond behavior of fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites applied as externally bonded reinforcement is the most critical concern in this type of application. FRCM–concret...

Experimental Investigation of Glass and Carbon FRCM Composite Materials Applied onto Concrete Supports

In recent decades the growing need for strengthening and retrofitting existing structures has led to the development of innovative strengthening materials. Fibre reinforced composites have been shown to be an effective strengthening solution for flexural and shear strengthening and for confinement of axially/eccentrically loaded elements. Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) composites, comprised of high-strength fibres and an inorganic matrix, are a newly-developed type of composite that has better resistance to high temperature and compatibility with the substrate than traditional fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. This paper investigates the behaviour of FRCM composites comprised of a glass or carbon fibre net tested using single-lap direct-shear tests. Observations regarding the load response and failure mode of FRCM-concrete joints with different geometrical and mechanical characteristics are provided.

A New Pull-Out Test to Study the Bond Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites

Fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites are gaining increasing popularity in the civil engineering community. FRCM composites are comprised of high-strength fiber textiles embedded within inorganic matrices that are responsible for the stress-transfer mechanism between the composite and the substrate. Failure of FRCM composites including one layer of textile is generally reported to be debonding of the fibers from the embedding matrix. Therefore, the bond behavior of the matrix-fiber interface is of critical importance for these types of composites.This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign carried out to investigate the bond behavior of an FRCM composite comprising PBO fibers. Specimens were tested using a newly-developed pull-out test set-up. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by different authors on single-lap direct-shear tests with the same FRCM composite.

Experimental behavior of glass-FRCM Composites Applied onto Masonry and Concrete Substrates

The use of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites has become a popular solution for retrofitting and strengthening of existing concrete and masonry structures. However, some drawbacks of this technique, mainly associated with the use of organic resins, have been reported. To overcome such drawbacks, the development of composite materials in which the organic resins are replaced with inorganic matrices has recently caught the attention of the civil engineering industry. Among these newly developed systems, Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) composites, which are comprised of high strength fibers embedded within an inorganic matrix, have shown promising results. However, research on this topic is still limited and important aspects, such as the bond behavior between the composite and the substrate, are not fully understood and require further study. This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign aimed at investigating the influence of the type of matrix and substrate on the bond behavior of FRCM composites. Glass-FRCM composite strips were applied onto concrete and masonry substrates and then tested by means of a classical push-pull single-lap direct-shear test set-up. A cementitious and a lime-based matrix were employed to apply the same type of fiber on concrete and masonry substrates, respectively. FRCM-concrete and FRCM-masonry joints reported the same failure mode. However, higher values of the peak load were obtained for the lime-based glass-FRCM composite applied onto masonry substrates than with the cementitious glass-FRCM composite applied onto concrete substrates.