Numerical modelling of flexural performance of textile reinforced mortar strengthened concrete beams

Abstract

In recent years, the application of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) as an overlay has become an important method for repairing and strengthening old masonry structures. However, the quantitative analysis and design of TRM-strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams are still limited. To address this gap, a nonlinear finite element (FE) model is proposed in this study to simulate the flexural behavior of TRM-strengthened RC beams. The developed model is validated using experimental results and subsequently utilized for the design of TRM-strengthened RC beams. Various TRM design parameters, including the number of textile layers, textile longitudinal length, and textile mesh size, are parametrically investigated. The modelling results reveal that increasing the number of textile layers and longitudinal length while decreasing the textile mesh size can enhance the bending strength of TRM-strengthened RC beams. Furthermore, an analytical model is proposed to predict the flexural strength of TRM-strengthened RC beams, facilitating rapid strength estimation of TRM-strengthened RC beams. The predicted results demonstrate good agreement with the numerical simulation results. The established FE models can predict the bending performance of TRM-strengthened RC beams under different reinforcement conditions, and the simulation outcomes can provide valuable guidance for their design. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]