Structural Behavior of Ferrocement Panels Exposed to Fire

Abstract

In this experimental investigation cement mortar panels reinforced with the different type of meshes were subjected to impact load after exposure to fire. Five groups of sandwich ferrocement panels (400x400x30mm in dimensions) had been cast and exposed to firing temperature up to 700˚C. Then the panels were tested using drop impact loading to measure the energy absorption of the specimens after firing. The variable parameters were type and number of mesh and styrofoam content. The results showed that the impact resistance of all groups of panels was significantly decreased when exposed to fire. Firing had little effect on strain energy for panels having a layer of styrofoam at the center. Different crack types and failure modes were observed due to the variety in number and type of meshes and percentage content of styrofoam. Numbers of blows were increased due to the increase of the number of mesh layers.