title: Experimental and analytical investigation on the behaviour of masonry strengthened with the use of Textile-Reinforced Mortars (TRMs) subjected to elevated temperatures
Creators: name: Yang, Pengliang
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2026

description: The textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) combines high-strength fabric textiles with cementitious mortar matrix to enhance mechanical behaviour and durability, especially at high temperatures. This study investigates the thermomechanical behaviour of TRM composites and confined masonry columns under elevated temperatures, introducing innovative experimental techniques and providing valuable insights for their application in fire-resistant structures.
The research focuses on the tensile performance of basalt, carbon, and glass textile grids and TRM composites, as well as the compressive behaviour of TRM-confined masonry columns under combined thermal and mechanical loading up to 800 ℃. A creative mechanical tensile testing method was developed specifically to evaluate the thermomechanical properties of TRM composites under elevated temperatures. The study also investigates the effectiveness of TRM confinement in enhancing the fire resistance and structural integrity of masonry columns. Advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), were employed to analyze the microstructural changes and interfacial interactions at elevated temperatures.
The results indicated that temperature significantly affected the fabric textile, coating materials, cementitious mortar, and the overall performance of TRM composites and confined columns. Critical temperature thresholds and material-specific behaviour were identified for different textile reinforcements, with carbon and glass TRM exhibiting superior tensile performance compared to basalt TRM at temperatures up to 500 ℃. The TRM confinement significantly improved the compressive strength, ductility, and fire resistance of masonry columns, with the effectiveness depending on the textile material, confinement configuration, and temperature range. SEM analysis revealed critical changes in the mortar matrix and interfacial bonding region between textile and matrix, highlighting the role of interfacial interactions in the overall thermomechanical behaviour of TRM composites and confined columns. The experimental findings were further utilized to calibrate the Gibson model, considering humidity and coating material changes, yielding results consistent with the experimental data.
The experimental study on TRM-confined masonry columns revealed that the confinement provided by TRM jackets effectively delayed the onset of cracking of the masonry units, maintaining the structural integrity of the columns at elevated temperatures. The TRM jackets also helped redistribute the stresses and contain the expansion of the masonry units, reducing the strength degradation rate.
This study calibrated analytical models for evaluating the tensile properties of TRM composites and the compressive behaviour of TRM-confined masonry columns under elevated temperatures, providing valuable insights into their performance and failure mechanisms. The outcomes of this research contribute to the enhanced understanding of TRM composites and confined columns in high-temperature environments, aiding in selecting appropriate materials, developing improved bonding strategies, and establishing fire-resistant design guidelines.
The innovative experimental techniques and findings presented in this study have the potential to significantly impact the design, application, and safety of TRM-reinforced structures and confined masonry columns in elevated temperature environments. The study paves the way for developing advanced fire-resistant masonry structures, ultimately leading to improved resilience and safety of the built infrastructure.