Composite Reinforced Mortar (CRM) is an innovative typology of inorganic composites for the reinforcement of existing masonry structures, consisting of bi-dimensional glass fibers grids embedded in a mortar matrix with a significant thickness (30-50mm). This system substitutes the traditional reinforced plaster made of steel grids; therefore, it can be applied for the reinforcement of masonry walls for seismic and gravitational loads.

In research fields, several experimental tests campaigns have been carried out using diagonal-compression configurations, with the aim of evaluating in-plane shear strength increase. However, limited research is still available to define mechanical properties of this systems and their bond behavior with respect to masonry substrates. The lack of knowledge of mechanical parameters also prevents the possibility of numerical simulations of experimental test results.

In this paper, a series of experimental tests were performed on CRM components to provide a mechanical characterization of the system: tensile tests of dry fibers, clamping grid test of CRM coupons, shear tests of grid joints and single-lap bond tests of CRM-to-masonry were performed.

Based on experimental results, several nonlinear numerical analyses in the software DIANA were carried out with the aim of analyzing reinforcement effectiveness in terms of in-plane shear behavior and uniaxial compressive behavior. Numerical simulations of reinforced and unreinforced masonry walls in shear-compression configuration were performed and the effect on strength, ductility and stiffness of panels was pointed out. Finally, the compressive behavior of walls was numerically studied by varying slenderness and axial load eccentricity at the top of the panels.

Numerical simulations showed the effectiveness of CRM in the reinforcement of masonry walls for the two different load cases. The parameters that most influence the efficiency of the reinforcement were then pointed out.