This paper presents an experimental study to strengthen flexure-deficient reinforced concrete beams using textile-reinforced mortars (TRMs). A set of seven reinforced concrete beams were strengthened using basalt and carbon TRMs. The current study utilised textiles with almost similar physical properties to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) beams. All the studied beams were strengthened at their soffit to evaluate the effectiveness of textile fibres, the number of layers and the strengthening configuration. The experimental results showed that beams strengthened using carbon and basalt textile-reinforced mortar performed equally better in terms of overall performance with inherent textile slippage after the peak load. The flexural load capacities of the beams were strengthened with one layer, and three layers were higher when compared to the control beam. For the basalt TRM one, three and five layers registered an increment of 8.3%, 20.7% and 30.3% of ultimate strengths over the unstrengthened specimen. Similarly, for the carbon TRM one, three and five layers recorded an increment of 14.2%, 15.3% and 32.3% of ultimate strengths over the control specimen. Five-layered specimens with end U-wraps successfully mitigated premature debonding, along with registering maximum load capacity, and digital image correlation (DIC) was performed to monitor real-time crack width, crack patterns and spacing and to compare the load and displacement responses from all the tested specimens.

Purpose: This paper employs a textile reinforcement strain comparison to study the response of Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM) strengthened reinforced concrete one-way slab members in flexure using the finite element method. Basalt TRM (BTRM) is a relatively new composite in structural strengthening applications. Experimental data on BTRMs are limited in the literature and numerical analyses can help further the understanding of this composite. With this notion, Abaqus finite element software is utilised to create a numerical method to capture the mechanical response of strengthened slab members instead of time-consuming laboratory experiments.Design/methodology/approach: A numerical method is developed and validated using existing experimental data set on one-way slabs strengthened using Basalt TRMs from the literature. An explicit solver is utilised to analyse the finite element model created using calibrated Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) parameters according to the experimental requirements. The generated model is applied to extract load, deflection and rebar strains sustained by strengthened reinforced concrete slabs as observed from the experimental reference chosen. The applicability of the developed model was studied beyond parametric studies by comparing the generated finite element tensile strain by the textile fibre with available formulae.Findings: CDP calibration done has shown its adaptability. The predicted results in the form of load versus deflection, tensile and compressive damage patterns from the numerical analysis showed good agreement with the experimental data. A parametric study on various concrete strength, textile spacing and TRM bond length obtained shows TRM’s advantages and its favourability for external strengthening applications. A set of five formulae considered to predict the experimental strain showed varied accuracy.Originality/value: The developed numerical model considers strain sustained by the textile fibre to make results more robust and reliable. The obtained strain from the numerical study showed good agreement with the experiment results.

Purpose: A study on the mechanical characteristics of cementitious mortar reinforced with basalt fibres at ambient and elevated temperatures was carried out. To investigate their effect, chopped basalt fibres with varying percentages were added to the cement mortar.Design/methodology/approach: All the specimens were heated using a muffle furnace. Flexural strength and Compressive strength tests were performed, while monitoring the moisture loss to evaluate the performance of basalt fibre reinforced cementitious mortars at elevated temperatures.Findings: From the study, it is clear that basalt fibres can be used to reinforce mortar as the fibres remain unaffected up to 500 °C. Minimal increases in flexural strengths and compressive strengths were measured with the addition of basalt fibres at both ambient and elevated temperatures. SEM pictures revealed fibre matrix interaction/degradation at different temperatures.Originality/value: The current study shows the potential of basalt fibre addition in mortar as a reinforcement mechanism at elevated temperatures and provides experimental quantifiable mechanical performances of different fibre percentage addition.

This study investigates the synergistic use of eggshell powder (EP) and steel slag (SS) as sustainable partial replacements for cement and fine aggregate (manufactured sand) in concrete, with the goal of enhancing mechanical performance while promoting eco-friendly construction practices through waste material utilization. In the experimental program, 10% eggshell powder was used as a cement substitute, and steel slag was incorporated as a fine aggregate replacement at 20%, 40%, and 60% levels. The mechanical properties of concrete—including compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength—were evaluated across various curing periods (7, 28, 56, and 90 days). Results showed that concrete containing 10% EP achieved mechanical properties nearly equivalent to the control mix (without EP). Moreover, when combined with up to 60% steel slag, the mix exhibited notable improvements in all measured strengths compared to both the control and other replacement levels. A scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis confirmed the positive microstructural development in the optimized mix, supporting the mechanical performance improvements. The combination of 10% eggshell powder and up to 60% steel slag offers a promising sustainable solution for improving concrete’s mechanical properties while utilizing industrial and agricultural waste materials. The study provides a valuable pathway toward greener and more durable concrete formulations.