Textile Reinforcement Techniques in Cementitious Composites
Summary
Textile reinforcement in cementitious composites harnesses high-performance fibres arranged in two-dimensional meshes or grids and embedded within inorganic matrices to enhance mechanical performance, durability and service life of concrete elements. Unlike traditional steel reinforcement, textile reinforcements resist corrosion, exhibit low weight and allow for thinner structural overlays or strengthening jackets. Common systems include textile-reinforced mortar (TRM), in which dry or coated textile fabrics are impregnated within cementitious mortars, and fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM), which uses fine-grain matrices to ensure close contact between fibres and cement paste. These composites improve flexural capacity, shear resistance and crack control, while offering fire stability and compatibility with heritage structures. Emerging applications range from seismic retrofitting of beam and slab elements to full-scale rehabilitation of columns and façades. Advances in material science have enabled the development of novel carbon-based textiles, bio-sourced fibres and geopolymer matrices, promoting sustainability and customisable performance. Design guidelines and numerical models now guide practical application, ensuring that textile-reinforced systems integrate seamlessly within modern construction and infrastructure renewal schemes.
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Textile Reinforcement Techniques in Cementitious Composites publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in textile reinforcement techniques in cementitious composites across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Textile-Reinforced Mortar (TRM): A composite system comprised of dry or coated textile meshes embedded within cementitious mortar to strengthen concrete elements, offering improved crack control and corrosion resistance.
Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM): An inorganic composite in which continuous textile fabrics are impregnated with fine mortar matrices to enhance tensile performance and bond behaviour in structural strengthening applications.
Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP): A composite material consisting of polymeric matrix and high-strength fibres (e.g., carbon or glass) used for external reinforcement of concrete, notable for high stiffness but limited by thermal sensitivity of resins.
Debonding: The failure mechanism in which the interface between textile reinforcement and cementitious matrix separates, leading to loss of composite action and reduced load-carrying capacity.
Bond Strength: The measure of adhesion between textile reinforcement and surrounding mortar or concrete substrate, critical to effective load transfer and composite performance.
References
- Fire Performance of FRCM-Confined RC Columns: Experimental Investigation and Parametric Analysis. Composites Part C Open Access (2024).
- Explainable machine learning model and reliability analysis for flexural capacity prediction of RC beams strengthened in flexure with FRCM. Engineering Structures (2022).
- Lessons Learned on the Tensile and Bond Behavior of Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Composites. Frontiers in Built Environment (2020).
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