Shear Capacity of Calcarenite Masonry Walls Reinforced by TRM: A Comparison Between Jute and Synthetic Textiles Performances

Masonry buildings exhibit significant vulnerability during seismic events, with masonry walls, serving as primary load-bearing elements, being particularly prone to shear failure caused by earthquake forces. The prediction of the structural capacity of masonry buildings against lateral loads requires an accurate characterization of the masonry strength and the general response under shear stresses. Experimental studies show the good performances of Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) composites in strengthening of masonry walls. This study compares the shear capacity of calcarenite masonry walls reinforced with bio-sourced jute textiles and conventional synthetic textiles (i.e. glass and carbon) both embedded in a lime mortar matrix. An extensive experimental program was conducted, involving diagonal compression tests on calcarenite masonry walls with identical geometry. The calcarenite stones, sourced from the south Italy sites, the city of Lecce and the Sicilian Island, were chosen for their cultural significance and as representative examples of the typical stone used in these regions, reflecting their common material characteristics. The tests were designed to assess the shear capacity and failure mechanisms of the reinforced walls, with a focus on understanding the performance of each TRM system. The findings highlight the potential of bio-sourced jute textiles as a sustainable reinforcement option for historic masonry, contributing to the advancement of sustainability. The evaluation of the unique contributions and potential applications of each material, rather than to rank their performance, may provide a balanced perspective on their suitability for different reinforcement scenarios. Moreover, the results provide valuable insights to select the appropriate TRM systems, considering a balance between structural effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and compatibility with historic materials.