Textile-reinforced mortar as a potential for enhancing the frost resistance of strengthened structural members

In this review, the potential of the textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) to act as a strengthening overlay of existing structural members and as a protective mean against frost damage of these members was investigated. The first part of the study regarded the effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the mechanical characteristics of various examined TRM systems, while the second part regarded the post-frost response of TRM-strengthened concrete or masonry members. The reduction of the tensile and flexural strength of the TRM systems due to freeze-thawing was significant. In addition, the increase of the number of freeze-thaw cycles led to the degradation of the stiffness of the textile-to-matrix and the TRM-to-substrate interface. However, when TRM was used as a strengthening overlay of concrete or masonry members, it could provide a protective barrier for the substrate against frost damage. It is highlighted that in most of the studies, the capacity of the exposed/strengthened specimens has been compared only with that of unexposed/strengthened counterparts. It is proposed that the role of TRM overlays will be better illuminated if researchers also compare the performance of exposed/strengthened specimens with that of exposed/un-strengthened ones. It is also noted that there is a need for an established standard dedicated to the assessment of the residual capacity of TRM-strengthened members after exposure to freeze-thaw cycles.