A team from the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has developed a technique for fortifying deteriorating structures using cement mortar and a carbon textile grid.

To strengthen deteriorating structures, the team adhered 20 mm thick precast textile reinforced mortar (TRM) panels that feature a carbon textile grid to existing structures using a thin layer of cement mortar. According to the KICT team, this doubled the load-bearing capacity of the concrete structures, thereby increasing their lifespan.

(Left) Deteriorated concrete member and precast TRM panel; and (Right) Concrete member strengthened with TRM panel. Source: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT)

Typically, carbon fiber sheets are applied to the surface of a deteriorating concrete structure in an effort to fortify them. This is usually done using organic adhesives, yet such adhesives reportedly are vulnerable to fire and cannot be applied to structures with wet surfaces.

As such, the team attached the new carbon textile grid to structures using cement grout that features ground granulated blast furnace slag. According to the team, the new combination is reportedly non-combustible, highly resistant to fire, can be applied to wet surfaces and, unlike steel, is non-corrosive.

Consequently, the researchers believe that the technique can be used to fortify structures associated with highway facilities or offshore concrete structures.

The research appears in the journal Materials.