Copyright © 2018 Authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7 (4.20) (2018) 239-244 International Journal of Engineering & Technology Website: www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJET Research paper Tensile Behavior of Alternative Reinforcing Materials as Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Mortar FRCM Mohammed A. Mousa 1 * 1 Assistant lecturer, University of AL Qadisiyah, College of engineering *Corresponding author E-mail:Mohammed.mousa@qu.edu.iq Abstract The adoption of new reinforcing and retrofitting materials provide an alternative and affordable techniques that can be utilized in low- income communities. FRCM is comprised of a broad spectrum family of reinforcing materials such that it allowed utilizing affordable local alternatives such as fishing net FN and welded wire steel mesh WWSM. The composite effectiveness stems from the compatible inorganic matrix properties which have similar properties to the substrate unlike other composites such as FRP. The tensile response of FN and WWSM and their mortar composites has been experimentally studied to characterize their strength, deformation, and the bonding between the reinforcement and the mortar. Experimental investigations on dog-bone composites specimens with their materials samples subjected to uniaxial tensile load were performed. The experimental campaign included testing 12 composite specimens taking into account multiple parameters like material, thread thickness, and the layer effect. The results show comparable strengths and high deformation capacity (12.5 times) of FN to the WWSM. Finally, the SEM imaging shows a well-impregnation between the mortar and the reinforcement of both materials. The tensile response of the composite emphasizes its potential as structural retrofitting and hazard mitigation technique for local builders and house owners in developing countries. Keywords: Fishing nets; welded wire steel mesh; mortar; FRCM; SEM 1. Introduction As the time advances, new developed techniques and materials are emerging to the field structural engineering. Such practices pass through extensive research observation to characterize their proper- ties and performance before applied in practice. Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix is among multiple reinforcing/retrofitting techniques that developed recently to fulfill the poor structural poor performance while resisting tensile loads. FRCM is composed of inorganic matrices such as mortar and wide spectrum family of re- inforcing materials that come in the form of mesh or fabric. Such reinforcing material as carbon [1–9], steel [5, 9–13], glass [5,14], polymeric [12,14–16], and others (PBO, basalts, etc.) [5, 7, 9, 17– 19]. FRCM has attractive and advantageous properties especially in terms of structural retrofitting and hazard mitigation [20]. Their post-cracking resistance contributes to establishing a different load resistance mechanism in the FRCM strengthened/repaired struc- tures. For example, Papanicolaou et al. 2007, concluded that the textile reinforced mortar as a masonry reinforcement outperform their FRP counterparts in terms of load-carrying capacity and de- flection if the compression failure of the masonry is controlling [21]. Also, the FRCM inorganic matrix offers better fire-resistance performance compared to organic-based composite such as FRP [22,23]. The compatibility of the matrix with the substrate facili- tates the installation process as the substrate need no to minimal treatment before the installation [2,24–26]. Another key advantage is ample options available to reform or strengthen structures pro- vided by FRCM which enable utilizing local, affordable, and recy- cled materials [13]. In this research, the use of polymeric fibers, such as Nylon, is in the form of fishing nets FN were compared with a corresponding welded wire steel mesh WWSM. Both of the FN and the WWSM were tested under uniaxial tensile test to character- ize their behavior as a material and in a composite form. The FN and WWSM composites show a higher load carrying capacity than their tested materials around (34%, and 45%) respectively due to the role of the mortar. Finally, the bonding of the reinforcement is investigated by checking the interface with the mortar. The results show a good bonding to the matrix. The results reflect the potential use of the FN as a composite which can be used as overlay rein- forcement to enhance the strength, reduce the cracks, and absorb the energy of impacts and pressures. 2. Material characterization 2.1. Mortar The selection of the mortar depends on several parameters such as availability, affordability, workability, strength, bonding to the sub- strate surface and the reinforcing material. So, multiple types of mortar have been used as trials to select the mortar suitable for over- laying, workable enough to adhere to the substrate and viscous enough to impregnate the textile reinforcement [9]. Several mix de- sign was chosen to be applied to the CMU block surface as a mesh- mortar composite overlay. It is found that the 5.2 MPa (Type N) mortar tested according to ASTM C270, provides good perfor- mance with reasonable strength and cost. 1. The mortar employed in this research is the ready mix Type N masonry mortar. 2. The designed compressive strength of the mortar is 5.2 MPa (Type N) at 28 days tested according to ASTM C270 [27].