Innovative retrofitting solution for ageing buildings

Ageing and heritage buildings in Europe require structural upgrading solutions that are cost-effective, compatible, and environmentally friendly. The EU-funded NaTeRM project aims to develop an innovative externally bonded masonry reinforcement system to realise sustainable retrofitting solutions. 

The system comprises plant fibre textiles integrated into an inorganic lime-based matrix. Natural fibres are bio-renewable, biodegradable, and have good economic feasibility, delivering a higher degree of flexibility. A natural hydrophobic treatment for the plant fibres will render adequate durability, making this natural textile reinforced mortar (NTRM) advantageous compared to other systems integrating synthetic fabrics. NTRM will increase the resilience and lifetime of existing buildings, protect cultural heritage, and promote decarbonisation in the construction sector.

Effective structural upgrading solutions are becoming increasingly important in Europe, due to the ageing building stock and the need for preserving heritage buildings. When the reinforcement of existing and historic masonry structures is faced, several challenges with respect to the compatibility, cost-efficiency and environmental impact of the methods used need to be answered. 

Project NaTeRM promises a breakthrough in realizing sustainable retrofitting solutions via the development of a novel externally bonded masonry reinforcement system comprising of plant fibre textiles embedded in inorganic lime-based matrix. This Natural Textile Reinforced Mortar (NTRM) will offer several advantages compared to analogous systems that incorporate synthetic fabrics. 

Natural fibres are bio-renewable, bio-degradable and have good economic feasibility. They also offer a higher degree of flexibility that precludes over-stiffening effects, enabling better mechanical behaviour when applied on weak masonry. The plant fibres used in this study will receive a natural hydrophobic treatment that will ensure adequate durability. 

The design of a vapour permeable lime matrix will guarantee compatibility with a wide range of masonry substrates, including porous and salt-laden surfaces. 

The planned research activities include experimental work for the production and characterization of the matrix material and of the composite, pilot applications on full-scale walls and computational studies for validating operational performance and for developing analysis tools for the proposed applications. The project goes several steps beyond the state-of-the-art which still lacks systematic investigations, design guidelines and real-scale applications of NTRM. 

The outcomes obtained will assist towards enhancing resilience of the built environment, increasing the lifetime of existing buildings, protecting cultural patrimony, and promoting decarbonation in the construction and textile industries.

Coordinator

• UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO

Start date: 1 February 2022 - End date: 31 January 2024