Low-Carbon Geopolymer Textile Reinforced Concrete for Seismic Strengthening
▶Summary
Recent major earthquakes (e.g., Turkey (2023), Morocco (2023), Iran (2022)) have highlighted the vulnerability of substandard buildings resulting from poor design and construction practices. Although Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) are effective for structural strengthening, their high cost, fire protection requirements, and potential health and environmental risks limit their widespread use, particularly in developing countries. This underscores the urgent need for more sustainable, durable, and cost-effective retrofitting solutions and improved design regulations for practical application.STRENGTH addresses these challenges by developing an innovative, low-carbon retrofitting system using a novel mortar-based composite called GTRGM. This composite integrates AR-glass textiles within a geopolymer matrix, providing a fire-resistant and sustainable solution that is approximately 40% more cost-effective and has up to 8 times lower CO2 emissions and environmental impact compared to traditional FRPs. The GTRGM system is designed for flexural, axial, and shear strengthening of reinforced concrete beam and column members.The project builds on state-of-the-art retrofitting techniques, enhancing them with eco-friendly materials and industrial by-products to achieve optimal mechanical properties. Through a systematic, multi-scale experimental and analytical approach, STRENGTH aims to develop an innovative retrofitting solution with tailored functionalities to meet a wide range of performance requirements for substandard structures. The outcomes of the project will contribute to safer, more resilient structures and reinforce Europe's leadership and competitiveness in the retrofitting sector. By addressing existing knowledge gaps, the project will generate fundamental insights, develop advanced design models, and establish performance-based guidelines to promote the adoption of this innovative strengthening technique, resulting in significant economic and societal benefits.