Technical glossary – structural strengthening systems

High-performance mineral fiber characterized by high tensile strength and durability, used in FRCM meshes and fabrics for low-thickness strengthening applications.

Horizontal load-bearing element primarily subjected to bending and shear forces, often requiring strengthening through FRP or FRCM systems.

Critical structural node connecting horizontal and vertical members, often strengthened to improve shear resistance and confinement.

Fibre Net product line of carbon fiber based FRP systems (fabrics, meshes, laminates, bars and connectors) for strengthening reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and masonry structures.

See “Adhesion.” Refers to the stress transfer mechanism between reinforcement and substrate.

Floor system composed of reinforced concrete joists and hollow clay units, frequently subject to stiffening and anti-collapse interventions.

Structures subject to historical or architectural protection requiring compatible, reversible, and low-impact strengthening solutions.

Material used in mortars (cement or lime-based) that ensures cohesion and adherence in strengthening systems.

Environmental requirements guiding material selection in public procurement toward low-impact, certified products.

High-strength, high-modulus fiber widely used in FRP systems due to its excellent mechanical performance.

Maximum load that a structural component or system can sustain without reaching a limit state.

Mandatory certification indicating that a construction product complies with applicable European standards or technical approvals.

Inorganic matrix based on cement or hydraulic binders used in FRCM systems to embed reinforcement fibers.

Inorganic matrices based on hydraulic or cementitious binders used in structural mortars for CRM and FRCM systems.

Anchoring system based on thermosetting resins (epoxy, vinylester, polyester) used to fix bars and connectors into concrete or masonry, providing load transfer by adhesion and mechanical interlock.

Material consisting of a matrix and high-strength fibers designed to work together to improve mechanical performance.

Widely used structural material composed of cement, aggregates and water.

Mechanical elements used to anchor reinforcement systems to substrates and ensure through-thickness behavior.

Maximum load that a GFRP connector can transfer to the substrate before pull out, measured through pull out tests on different masonry types.

Technical drawing defining overlaps, anchorage lengths, fiber orientation, and connector layout.

Italian technical standards providing design and application rules for FRP and FRCM systems.

Strengthening technique involving reinforced plaster composed of FRP meshes, connectors, and structural mortars.

Fibre Net FRCM system line based on fiber meshes (basalt steel, glass, carbon) combined with inorganic mortars based on hydraulic lime or cementitious binders.

Documentation of crack distribution.

Configuration and distribution of cracks used to assess structural behavior and define intervention strategies.

Part under compression.

Failure mode involving separation between strengthening system and substrate due to inadequate adhesion or stress concentration.

Change in shape or displacement of a structural element under applied loads, including deflection, rotation, and cracking.

Progressive deterioration processes such as cracking, corrosion, or material decay reducing structural performance.

Investigation phase aimed at determining the actual condition of a structure and defining appropriate strengthening solutions.

Energy absorbed and dissipated by a structure during dynamic events such as earthquakes, related to ductility.

Ability of a structure to undergo significant plastic deformation before failure.

Capability of a material or system to maintain performance over time in the presence of environmental agents.

Proprietary CAD file format used for 2D and 3D technical drawings, compatible with major design software.

European document defining the evaluation framework for innovative construction systems such as CRM and FRCM.

Material property describing stiffness, defined as the ratio between stress and strain in the elastic range.

Set of physical and chemical conditions (humidity, salinity, freeze-thaw cycles) affecting material durability.

Document providing quantified environmental impacts over the lifecycle of a product.

Natural hydraulic lime (NHL) based mortars for plastering, masonry and smoothing applications, designed for conservation, rehabilitation and structural strengthening. They provide high vapor permeability, low mechanical stiffness and full compatibility, making them suitable for historic and listed buildings as well as traditional masonry constructions. These mortars are compatible, reversible and compliant with modern conservation criteria, and form part of CRM (Composite Reinforced Mortar) and FRCM (Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix) strengthening systems.

Thermosetting organic matrix used in FRP systems for fiber impregnation and bonding.

European standards governing structural design and verification.

Upper surface of an arch or vault, often subject to strengthening applications.

Site phase including substrate preparation, installation of meshes or fabrics, application of mortars or resins, and acceptance and quality control checks.

Mechanism by which structures absorb seismic energy through deformation.

Direction in which fibers are aligned, determining mechanical performance of the reinforcement.

Material combining fibers and matrix for structural strengthening.

Tensile-resistant elements such as carbon, glass, basalt, or steel used in composite systems.

Composite system with inorganic matrix (lime or cement mortar) embedding fiber meshes.

Composite material with polymer matrix, typically epoxy, reinforcing fibers.

Structural elements transferring loads to soil, possibly requiring strengthening.

Maximum displacement of structural elements under load.

Floor bands

Composite material made of polymer matrix reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibers, widely used in meshes, connectors, and profiles for CRM systems.

Particle size distribution of aggregates in structural mortars, affecting workability, adhesion, and mechanical performance.

Arrangement of reinforcement meshes or strips to optimize load transfer paths.

Presence of irregular materials and textures influencing strengthening design.

Variability in mechanical properties of the base material.

Combined influence of humidity and temperature on material performance.

Manual application technique for FRP systems on site.

Material performance at elevated temperatures.

Strengthening targeting individual elements or entire structural systems.

Mineral-based matrix used in FRCM systems.

Preliminary evaluation method for identifying damage.

Support zone of arches.

Region affected by loads or reinforcement.

Connector used for anchoring mesh systems into masonry.

Overlap length ensuring continuity of reinforcement.

Compatible materials for heritage masonry.

Structural masonry carrying vertical loads.

Irregular distribution of materials within the wall.

Link via metallic or composite connectors.

Long-term observation of structural behavior.

Material stiffness parameter.

Boundary separating compression and tension zones.

Components not contributing to load-bearing capacity.

Behavior beyond elastic limits.

Failure mode involving wall instability.

Collapse due to rotation of elements.

Maximum load a connector can transfer before being extracted.

Application of reinforcement layers.

Test evaluating adhesion strength.

Vertical structural element.

Verification processes ensuring compliance.

Intervention improving performance of existing structures.

Strengthening system based on reinforced mortar.

Structural material consisting of concrete and steel reinforcement, frequently strengthened using FRP and FRCM systems.

Tensile resistant components (AR glass, carbon, basalt, steel) embedded in organic or inorganic matrices to form composite strengthening systems.

Ability to remove the strengthening system without damaging the substrate.

Mechanical capacities of materials.

Intervention bringing structure to full code compliance.

Partial enhancement of structural performance.

Internal force causing sliding failure.

Base material onto which strengthening is applied.

Interventions aimed at increasing safety and load capacity.

Condition related to usability and performance.

Susceptibility of a building to earthquake damage.

Geographical classification based on seismic hazard.

Maximum tensile stress sustainable by a material.

Property allowing mortars to remain stable on vertical surfaces.

Temperature at which resin behavior changes.

Fiber arrangement defining load resistance directions.

Part of a section under tensile stresses.

Consistency of material properties.

Condition corresponding to structural failure.

Curved structural element working mainly in compression.

Checks ensuring structural performance.