Abstract
Ferrocement panels, while offering various benefits, do not cover instances of low and moderated velocity impact. To address this problem and to enhance the impact strength against low-velocity impact, a fibrous ferrocement panel is proposed and investigated. This study aims to assess the flexural and low-velocity impact response of simply supported ferrocement panels reinforced with expanded wire mesh (EWM) and steel fibers. The experimental program covered 12 different ferrocement panel prototypes and was tested against a three-point flexural load and falling mass impact test. The ferrocement panel system comprises mortar reinforced with 1% and 2% dosage of steel fibers and an EWM arranged in 1, 2, and 3 layers. For mortar preparation, a water-cement (w/c) ratio of 0.4 was maintained and all panels were cured in water for 28 days. The primary endpoints of the investigation are first crack and ultimate load capacity, deflection corresponding to first crack and ultimate load, ductility index, flexural strength, crack width at ultimate load, a number of impacts needed to induce crack commencement and failure, ductility ratio, and failure mode. The finding revealed that the three-layers of EWM inclusion and steel fibers resulted in an additional impact resistance improvement at cracking and failure stages of ferrocement panels. With superior ultimate load capacity, flexural strength, crack resistance, impact resistance, and ductile response, as witnessed in the experiment program, ferrocement panel can be a positive choice for many construction applications subjected to repeated low-velocity impacts.
Highlights
Many countries in the developing world, technological advancement towards mass housing development directed towards use of imported material to a great extent
The findings revealed that utilizing ferrocement is greatly diminishes deflection, the crack’s width, a spacing of crack at ultimate loads
The paper presents results from the current study that assesses the flexural and impact response of ferrocement panels made with steel fibers and expanded wire mesh
Summary
Many countries in the developing world, technological advancement towards mass housing development directed towards use of imported material to a great extent. The parameters considered were quality of mortar, curing environment, and period of exposure and number of reinforcing mesh layers It results that the optimum dosage of fly ash was observed by 10%. Galvanized wire mesh was used to reinforce first, second, and third layers together with steel fibers to prepare ferrocement panels. Superior resistance to crack and enhanced flexural capacity was observed from formulated optimum mix design comprised 85% of plain cement, 15% of silica fume, 4% of steel fiber with three-layer wire mesh. Results revealed that the ratio of the ultimate load of galvanized iron mesh panel to the polypropylene mesh panel was up to 3.8 times for the flexural strength test. The paper presents results from the current study that assesses the flexural and impact response of ferrocement panels made with steel fibers and expanded wire mesh
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
