An Investigation on Mechanical and Thermal Performance Textile Reinforced Concrete with Armid Fiber Reinforcement

Abstract

Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is an innovative high-performance composite material
increasingly used in modern construction and retrofitting applications. In TRC, conventional steel reinforcement
is replaced with non-corrosive textile fibre mesh, enabling reduced cover thickness and lower consumption of
cementitious materials while offering superior mechanical performance. Owing to the wide variety of textile types,
production methods, and binder systems available, it is essential to characterise TRC thoroughly before selecting it
for specific applications. This research investigates the influence of key parameters—such as mesh size, number
of textile layers, and panel depth—on the mechanical, thermal, and durability properties of TRC incorporating
aramid fibre mesh. Three cementitious Des and two textile types, namely aramid and alkali-resistant (AR) glass
fibre meshes with varying mesh openings, were studied through experimental, numerical, and mathematical
analyses at different curing ages. A total of 432 TRC specimens were cast and tested for compressive strength, and
optimisation was carried out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The highest compressive strengths of
99.05 MPa and 93.29 MPa were achieved at 56 days for D-3 and the economical D-1, respectively, using five
layers of aramid fibre mesh. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance and accuracy of the developed models.
Durability studies demonstrated superior resistance of aramid TRC to aggressive environments and significantly
higher impact energy absorption than AR-glass TRC. Thermal studies revealed that aramid-based TRC sandwich
panels reduced heat transfer by approximately 69%, confirming their suitability for structural and thermal
applications in tropical climates.