MARS: development of a new generation cement free and self-sensing textile-reinforced smart mortar composite for MAsonry Repair and Strengthening
MARS is an innovative project developing Textile-Reinforced Smart Mortar (TRSM), a durable, eco-friendly, cement-free composite for strengthening masonry and cultural heritage structures.
What is MARS?
TRSM combines natural textile fabrics with lime mortar enhanced by carbon microfibers (CMF), delivering both mechanical reinforcement and self-sensing capability for real-time strain and damage monitoring.
The project begins with the creation of self-sensing mortar and progresses to TRSM systems. By merging traditional lime-based materials with smart sensing technology, MARS enables preventive maintenance and resilience against climate and seismic risks. This approach bridges heritage conservation with modern structural intelligence.
Why MARS?
Aging masonry structures and heritage assets require solutions that are compatible, sustainable, and intelligent. Traditional monitoring methods are intrusive and costly. MARS offers a non-invasive, integrated approach, combining reinforcement and sensing in one material.
- Preserve heritage integrity while adding smart functionality.
- Reduce maintenance costs through early damage detection.
- Support Net Zero goals by extending the life of existing structures.
Key Features:
- Hydraulic lime mortar enhanced with carbon microfibers (CMF).
- Real-time strain monitoring via piezoresistive response.
- Optimal formulation for strength and sensing at 0.1% CMF.
- Compatible with Textile-Reinforced Mortar (TRM) systems for masonry strengthening.
How MARS Works
Step-by-Step Process:
- Mix design β Natural hydraulic lime (NHL 5.0) combined with silica fume, standard sand and CMFs.
- Conductive network formation β CMFs create pathways that respond to mechanical strain.
- Electromechanical response β Changes in electrical resistivity indicate structural stress.
- Data integration β Enables real-time monitoring without external sensors.
- Analytics & Alerts β Detects abnormal crack developments exceeding user-defined thresholds, sending notifications to stakeholders
- Visualization & Reporting β Interactive 3D dashboards display crack evolution over time
Image #2: Piezoresistivity setup.
Image #3: Piezoresistive response of smart mortar under cyclic loading: time histories of axial strain (Ξ΅) and relative change in resistivity (ΞΟ/Ο).
Image #4: Piezoresistive response of smart mortar under cyclic loading: correlation between axial strain and relative resistivity change at varying compressive stress ranges.
MARS Applications
Applications:
- Heritage structure preservation and monitoring.
- Strengthening masonry walls using TRM systems.
- Smart retrofitting for bridges, viaducts, and historic buildings.
- Sustainable construction for modern masonry.
Why It Matters:
MARS matters because it blends heritage preservation with modern smart technology. By adding self-sensing capabilities into eco-friendly lime-based composites, it allows real-time monitoring and preventive maintenance for masonry structures.
This method lowers repair costs, improves resilience to climate and seismic risks, and helps protect cultural heritage for future generations.
Letβs Build Smarter Structures Together
Through innovative remote sensing techniques, advanced imaging technology, and state-of-the-art data analytics, we offer customized solutions aimed at diagnosing, preserving, and enhancing the resilience of masonry structures against the challenges posed by time and environmental factors.
Our commitment goes beyond mere preservation; we strive to empower the future of architectural conservation through meticulous attention to detail, innovative methodologies, and a deep respect for cultural heritage.
Get In Touch
Have questions or need assistance? Contact us to learn more about how we can support your project with our expertise.