Nanomaterial to Improve Ferrocement Properties for Green Buildings

Abstract

Nowadays, nanomaterial has been used extensively worldwide to improve the properties of the constructional materials due to many advantages that can be achieved especially improving strength/weight ratio which is highly desired by the engineers towards a green building concept by minimizing the material used and increasing the stresses levels that the structure can carry. The present research examined the mechanical properties of nano cement mortar which can lead to improvements in ferrocement to be used in the green building system. Thus 90 cubes, 50 mm, and 500 × 50 mm prisms varying thickness (t=4, 6, 8 and 10 mm) were cast and tested to determine the compressive strength, and modulus of rupture, for nano cement mortar at curing age of 28 days, In addition, 50 nano-ferrocement prisms (500 × 50 mm) with varying the thickness (t=4, 6, 8 and 10 mm), number of fine wire mesh layers, mix proportions were cast and flexural tests were carried out to determine the composite modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture. It was observed that the compressive and flexural strengths were increased for the nano-ferrocement samples in comparison with the normal one which refers to the importance of developed mixture toward sustainable building.