Mechanical and thermal characterization of FRCM-matrices

Architectural heritage manifests both structural and energy deficiencies with respect to the requirements stated in the technical codes. Nowadays, among the possible strengthening solutions, it is of great interest the use of the fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM), which consists in a fibrous mesh grid embedded in a mortar (inorganic matrix). The FRCMs may ensure simultaneous advantages recognizable in static and insulation improvements. Thus, it is reasonable to design the FRCM-application by considering both the mechanical and the energy properties. In this scenario, the goal of the research is to experimentally determine the mechanical and the thermal capacities of FRCM-matrices. In such way, the correlation between the proportion of the constituents and the effectiveness (structural and energetic) of the system is investigated. In detail, the FRCM-matrices were characterized by compressive and flexural tests, as well as, by thermal conductivity measurements. In particular, different percentages in volume of aggregates were replaced with recycled materials (i.e. waste tire rubber), in order to quantify the possible decrease in the mechanical strength and the enhancement of the thermal insulation with respect to the substitution rates.