The strengthening and repair of deteriorated and substandard structures has become one of the most important challenges for civil engineering, especially in European seismic areas, where a vast number of old concrete and historical masonry buildings require urgent intervention.In this context, both mortars and textile reinforced (TR) composites are particularly suitable for seismic retrofitting due to several advantages respect to traditional solutions (steel/concrete), among which their high mechanical performance, lightness and increasingly competitive costs.In spite of these benefits, there are well-founded concerns about the environmental impact of these solutions owing to the inherent properties of their constituent materials. Indeed, the increasing demand for cement-based mortars is leading to a detrimental impact on the environment and sustainability in the construction industry, mainly due to the high consumption of energy and raw materials involved in the manufacturing process.Therefore, the need for developing eco-friendly materials and sustainable systems, within a virtuous life cycle, to meet the goals of the green revolution and ecological transition, represents a major challenge in the research field, with significant implications for practical applications. In fact, several international scientific committees have unanimously recognized the development of eco-friendly materials and strengthening systems as one of the most critical research needs.The STRIPES project provides a contribution in this direction by promoting the development of eco-mortars and eco-strengthening systems, and investigating their suitability in the seismic protection and strengthening of masonry structures.To this end, eco-friendly mortars made by activating reactive powders obtained from natural sources and/or industrial by-products, either as a standalone material or combined with natural textiles, will be studied.These highly durable and lightweight solutions can be particularly attractive for structural applications, as they do not increase the seismic mass, while improving the mechanical properties of building members, thus contributing to a reduction in the demand for natural resources and raw materials.In addition, the use of these eco-friendly solutions will contribute to a reduction of CO₂ emissions, improving the overall sustainability of the construction industry.
Francesco Bencardino, Principal Investigator of this project, is an Associate Professor of “Structural Analysis and Design (SSD CEAR-07/A)” in the Department of Civil Engineering (DINCI) at the University of Calabria. He is one of the most prominent European specialists in composite materials and structures for new construction and rehabilitation applications. He has extensive experience in the experimental characterisation of composite materials and structures, and his areas of expertise also include developing sustainable materials and techniques for repairing degraded civil engineering structures.
Information on his recent scientific activity can be found via this link.
Roberto Realfonzo, is a full Professor in Structural Engineering (Competition sector 08/B3, Scientific disciplinary sector ICAR/09) at UniSa, Department of Civil Engineering. For several years he performed several experimental and theoretical studies related to the use of epoxy and mortar-based composite materials for repairing, strengthening and seismic retrofitting of existing RC and masonry members. As a member of CNR study Committees, he provided several contributions to the development of the design guidelines CNR-DT 200 R1/2013 and CNR-DT 215/2018.
Luciano Ombres is a Full Professor (Competition sector 08/B3, Scientific disciplinary sector ICAR/09 Structural Engineering) at the University of Calabria, Department of Civil Engineering (DINCI). He has a vast experience about structural analysis of reinforced concrete and masonry elements reinforced with textile-reinforced composite materials and structural analysis and equilibrium stability problems of steel members.
Fortunato Crea is an Associate Professor in Materials Science and Technology (Competition sector 09/D1, Scientific disciplinary sector ING-IND/22 Materials science and technology). Affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Management (DIMEG) of University of Calabria. He has a vast experience on topics related on binders alternative to Portland cement and waste management for sustainable construction
Sebastiano Candamano is an Associate Professor in Materials Science and Technology (Competition sector 09/D1, Scientific disciplinary sector ING-IND/22 Materials science and technology). Affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Management (DIMEG) of University of Calabria. His research is mainly focused on sustainable construction materials: development, characterization and optimization of traditional, advanced and innovative binders, mortars and concretes (cements, geopolymers, alkaline activated materials) and TR composites.
Annalisa Napoli is a tenure track researcher -RTD-B – in Structural Engineering (Competition sector 08/B3, Scientific disciplinary sector ICAR/09) at UniSa, Department of Civil Engineering. For several years she is involved in experimental and theoretical activities related to the use of epoxy and mortar-based composite materials for repairing, strengthening and seismic retrofitting of existing RC and masonry members. The results of the performed studies have often provided significant contributions to the development of design formulae currently reported in the well-known design guidelines CNR-DT 200 R1/2013 and CNR-DT 215/2018.
Pietro Mazzuca is a Research Fellow (Competition sector 08/B3, Scientific disciplinary sector ICAR/09 Structural Engineering) at the University of Calabria, Department of Civil Engineering (DINCI). He conducts research on different uses of Textile Reinforced (TR) and Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials/systems in civil infrastructures, focusing his research activities on the behaviour of those structures/systems under exposure to elevated service temperatures or fire.
Publications
- F. Ascione F., F. Bencardino, S. Candamano, F. Crea, P. Mazzuca, A. Napoli, L. Ombres, R. Realfonzo. “STRIPES Project: cement-free alkali-activated mortars for structural repair/retrofitting interventions” Italian Concrete Conference, 2024, Florence, 19-21 June
- F. Ascione, F. Bencardino, S. Candamano, F. Crea, P. Mazzuca, A. Napoli, L. Ombres, R. Realfonzo.“Eco-Friendly Alkali-Activated Mortars for Structural Applications” The New Boundaries of Structural Concrete, 2024, Rome, 19-20 September.
- F. Ascione, F. Bencardino, S. Candamano, F. Crea, M. Della Vecchia, P. Mazzuca, A. Napoli, L. Ombres, R. Realfonzo. “Freezing and thawing durability of FRCM systems based on sustainable mortars: a preliminary study”. 12th International Conference on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering, 2025, Lisbon, 14-16 July.
- F. Bencardino, Mazzuca P. “Externally Applied Textile Reinforced Systems-fib Bulletin 103 Chapter 6”. The international Federation for Structural Concrete, fib International Symposium on Concrete Structures: extend lifetime, limit impacts, 2025, Antibes, 16-18 June.
- F. Ascione F., F. Bencardino, S. Candamano, M. Della Vecchia, P. Mazzuca, A. Micieli, A. Napoli, L. Ombres, R. Realfonzo. “Effectiveness of FRCM systems based on sustainable mortar for the confinement of masonry columns: a preliminary study”. Convegno ANIDIS 2025 – l’Ingegneria Sismica in Italia, 2025, Perugia, 7-11 September.
- F. Bencardino, S. Candamano, M. Della Vecchia, P. Mazzuca, A. Micieli, A. Napoli, L. Ombres, R. Realfonzo. “Cyclic shear-compression tests on masonry walls strengthened with FRCM systems: preliminary results”. Convegno ANIDIS 2025 – l’Ingegneria Sismica in Italia, 2025, Perugia, 7-11 September.
- F. Ascione F., F. Bencardino, S. Candamano, M. Della Vecchia, P. Mazzuca, A. Micieli, A. Napoli, L. Ombres, R. Realfonzo.“Eco-Friendly Alkali-Activated Mortars for Structural Applications”. 3rd International Workshop On “Durability And Sustainability Of Concrete Structures”, 2025, Naples, 16-18 September.
Events
Materiali Compositi a Matrice Inorganica per la Riparazione, il Rinforzo ed il Miglioramento Sismico di Strutture in Muratura ed in Calcestruzzo Armato
13 Aprile 2026 – Ore 14:00 – Aula 41B 0A (Ex DS3) – Cubo 41B, PT
