The large amount of research carried out in the past twenty years on the use of TRM as strengthening solution for both concrete and masonry structures has successfully demonstrated that these novel composite systems can provide excellent alternatives to more traditional materials and techniques. Since the first field applications in the early 2000’s, TRM systems using different combinations of fibre types embedded in cement- or limebased mortars have been developed and are currently available on the market. As the performance of TRM systems can vary considerably depending on the physical and mechanical properties of the constituent materials, national and international committees working in the field set out to establish procedures for the accreditation of these systems so as to provide designers with reliable data. In North America, the AC434 document published by the International Code Council-Evaluation Service specifies the experimental procedures to determine the mechanical properties of TRM systems, as well as their performance under fire and environmental exposure, and gives specific guidelines for their implementation in tructural design. In Europe, the Italian ‘Consiglio Superiore dei Lavori Pubblici’ and the European Organization for Technical Assessment published guidelines recommending test methods and procedures for the accreditation of TRM strengthening systems, including their bond performance to selected substrate materials. This paper will discuss recent efforts in developing internationally standardized testing protocols and acceptance criteria for TRM composites. The underlying philosophy is examined, and advantages and drawbacks are discussed in detail with a view of assisting in the development of unified criteria.
Funding
Marie Skłodowska–Curie Individual Fellowship under Grant Agreement No. 846338
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