Ferrocement Slabs Research Articles

Ferrocement-Timber Composite Beams Loading capacity

This paper presents an experimental study of simply supported ferrocement timber composite members. An adherently bound link is investigated. As a shear connector layer, an appropriate length for this type of composite beam was chosen to study the effect of shear strength on the impact of one point load (1.2 m). Sikadur 31 thixotropic epoxy resin adhesive is used. The research's primary goal is to collect data and provide information on the structural behavior of proposed ferrocement timber composite (FTC) beams. The thickness and width of timber beams, the presence and absence of a bonding layer on the shear connector, and the influence of sagging and hogging bending moments were also investigated. FTC beams are a relatively new civil engineering solution, and their behavior should be investigated to develop relevant methods for calculating their resistance. Two push-out tests were used to tentatively resolve the connector's slip and pinnacle load limits. The stiffness and strength of the connection utilized to bind a ferrocement slab to a timber beam were investigated by the authors. These criteria are critical for composite beam planning because the solidity and quality of a composite beam framework's connections determine its performance. A three-point loading test was performed on the composite beam specimens. Measurements also demonstrate that the connection is near-perfect because the slide is minimal during the test (except at failure). Converting from sagging to It has been witnessed that converting from sagging to hogging bending reduces the ultimate load by up to 24%. The suggested beams' loading It has been witnessed that Converting from sagging to hogging bending reduces the ultimate load by up to 24%.shown to be excellent when compared to their weight in tests. Epoxy resin (Sikadur 31) can be used to provide adequate bonding between the components. The highest gain in the loading capacity was 48% when the timber thickness was increased from 90 to 190 mm.

Flexural Behavior of Ferrocement Composite Slab

Abstract: This project presents a Flexural behaviour of composite ferrocement slabs to investigate the effect of impact and ultimate flexural load on ferrocement slabs of size 600mmx400mmx15mm (thickness) reinforced with PVC coated steel weld mesh, and compare the results with slabs made of GI-coated steel weld mesh. PVC-coated weld mesh is used as non-corrosive reinforcement in ferrocement slab. The ferrocement slab was cast using Ordinary Portland Cement, locally available river sand and portable water with cement mortar ratio of 1:3 and water cement ratio of 0.5. The aim of this study is to observe the influence of PVC coated weld mesh ferrocement slab using ferrocement in enhancement of the mechanical properties of slabs subjected to impact and flexural load. The flexural load, maximum deflection, crack- pattern and crack-width of ferrocement slabs reinforced with PVC and GI coated weld mesh were analysed. Finally, the analytical results were compared with experimental results to predict the effectiveness of ferrocement techniques in structural applications.

Impact Energy Absorption of Sisal Fiber Reinforced Ferrocement Slab Elements and Its Statistical Relationship with Composite Compressive Strength

This study evaluates the level of energy absorption of sisal fiber reinforced ferrocement (SFRFC) slab elements of size 300 mm × 300 mm × 25 mm) (thickness) through low-velocity impact tests. The slabs are reinforced with 2 and 3 layers of steel weld mesh as primary reinforcement; and the sisal fibers of short and long fiber length, S-FL = 20 mm and L-FL = 40 mm (respectively) of varying volume fraction, (FVf of = 0.25–1.00%) act as secondary reinforcement. The compressive, split-tensile strength and flexural strength of hardened sisal fibrous mortar and plain (control) mortar specimens are determined and presented. The initial impact energy absorption (IIEA) and ultimate impact energy absorption (UIEA) of SFRFC slabs were found to be higher than ferrocement (FC-control) slabs (reinforced with 2 and 3 layers of steel mesh) demonstrating the effective contribution of sisal fibers in improving the performance of ferrocement slabs. When the length of the sisal fibers was increased from 20 mm to 40 mm in SFRFC slab elements (in hybrid combinations of steel mesh of 2–3 layers and fiber volume fraction of 0.25–1%), the impact resistance has increased several-fold over FC-control slabs. The composite compressive strength (CCS) of SFRFC has substantially increased when sisal fibers (of short and long fibers) of fiber volume fraction (FVf = 0.25–1%) are added to FC-control slab elements. Statistical prediction models have been developed separately for three dependent variables, IIEA, UIEA and CCS keeping constant the four independent variables, mesh layers (ML), fiber volume fraction (FVf), fiber length (FL) and mortar compressive strength (MCS), and the predicted values matched with the experimental results, within the acceptable error range. This study has statistically established a significant relationship between UIEA and CCS of sisal fiber reinforced ferrocement (SFRFC) slab elements.

Behavior of Multilayer Ferrocement Slab Containing Treated Sponge Layer Core

The current study investigates the structural performance of lightweight concrete panels produced using ferrocement (wire-meshed), hybrid (wire-meshed and steel fiber), and sponge-cementitious immersed layers. These panels presented a novel approach to producing a lightweight concrete panel to be used as an alternative to the traditional Jack-arch masonry slab system. The panels were made in dimensions of 600mm length(l), 200mm width (w), and 54mm thickness (h), using locally available sponge materials and super cementitious mortar incorporated with ferrocement layers. To determine the proper thickness of a sponge layer to be used in panel manufacturing, a material characterization was performed. The obtained results from the material characterization indicated a significant reduction in the density compared with the conventional Jack-arch slab system. The sponge core thickness positively affected the developmental compressive strength. For all sponge thickness modes, the density of developed sponging concrete was within the acceptance criteria of lightweight structural concrete. The average density of developing sponge concrete was 15.6 kN/m3, and the average absorption ratio was 14.78 %, while the density of cementitious mortar was 21.96 kN/m3. As for the structural performance of the resulting lightweight concrete panel, the panel with a hybrid layer (incorporating short steel fiber with steel wire mesh) 10mm layer was the best reinforcement method compared with reinforcing with the wire mesh (ferrocement) solely. Furthermore, the findings of this study depicted that the bending moment capacity of the developed lightweight concrete panel was higher than the conventional Jack-arch masonry usually used in traditional residential housing and lower density.

A study on flexural behaviour of ferrocement slabs using foamed concrete

A study on flexural behaviour of ferrocement slabs using foamed concrete

A study on flexural behaviour of ferrocement slabs using foamed concrete

Ferrocement is a material used for construction consisting of wire meshes and a conventional cement mortar. The aim of this research is to evaluate experimentally the flexural behaviour of ferrocement slabs by considering different parameters such as types of sand, number of layers of wire mesh and percentage of foaming agent. Slabs were cast using river sand and manufactured sand (M-Sand) with single and double layers of welded wire mesh. Synthetic foaming agent was also added in the mortar mix in various percentages such as 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1% by weight of cement. The effect of the above-mentioned parameters on the ultimate strength, deflection, energy absorption capacity and ductility of slabs was determined and discussed. From the test results, it is seen that behaviour of ferrocement slabs with M-Sand are almost similar to the behaviour of slabs with river sand in terms of ultimate load carrying capacity. The addition of foaming agent has significant influence on the self-weight reduction and improved ductility of ferrocement slabs.

Experimental and FEA analysis on flexural behavior of a ferrocement slab using GGBS and Nano Silica

Experimental and FEA analysis on flexural behavior of a ferrocement slab using GGBS and Nano Silica

Research on Structural Performance of Hybrid Ferro Fiber Reinforced Concrete Slabs.

Reinforced concrete structures, particularly in cold areas, experience early deterioration due to steel corrosion. Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) is an emerging construction material and cost-effective substitute for conventional concrete to enhance the durability and resistance against crack development. This article examines the structural performance of hybrid ferro fiber reinforced concrete slabs (mix ratio of mortar 1:2) comprising silica fume, layers of spot-welded mesh and different ratios of polypropylene fibers. The ferrocement slabs are compared with a conventional Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) slab (mix ratio of 1:2:4). The experimental work comprised a total of 13 one-way slabs, one control specimen and three groups of ferrocement slabs divided based on different percentages of Poly Propylene Fibers (PPF) corresponding to 0.10%, 0.30% and 0.50% dosage in each group. Furthermore, in each group, the percentage of steel ratio in ferrocement slabs varied between 25% and 100% of the steel area in the reinforced concrete control slab specimen. For evaluating the structural performance, the observation of deflection, stress-strain behavior, cracking load and energy absorption are critical parameters assessed using LVDTs and strain gauges. At the same time, the slabs were tested in flexure mode with third point loading. The experimental results showed that the first cracking load and ultimate deflection for fibrous specimens with 0.5% fiber and 10% silica fume increased by 15.25% and 13.2% compared with the reference RCC control slab. Therefore, by increasing the percentage of PPF and steel wire mesh reinforcement in the ferrocement slab, the post-cracking behavior in terms of deflection properties and energy absorption capacity was substantially enhanced compared to the RCC control slab.

Structural performance of fibrous ferrocement slabs

Structural performance of fibrous ferrocement slabs

Static and impact mechanical properties of ferrocement slabs produced from green mortar

Ferrocement is a common type of reinforced mortar that can be produced in sections of relatively small thickness. The production of ferrocement as a sustainable building material with good mechanical properties has resulted in many advantages like; saving cement, reducing the consumption of raw materials, reducing the agglomeration of waste materials, and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, this research has focused on the production of sustainable (green) ferrocement slabs.The experimental work was divided into three main phases; the use of supplementary cementitious materials (metakaolin (MK) and slag (GBS)) as a partial replacement of cement was in the first phase. In the second phase, the limestone powder (LSP) was used as a partial substitute of sand by 20% and 30% in the mixes (M5 and M10) that gave the best performance. Moreover, the recycled steel fibers (RSF) were used by 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9% for reinforcing the best mix (MS4) obtained in this phase. The last phase has involved the production of ferrocement slabs and testing their properties.The results indicated that using MK, GBS, and LSP gave a good performance of mortar. The ferrocement slabs reinforced with steel wire welded mesh with a diameter "3 mm" showed an increase in modulus of rupture by 75% compared to slabs reinforced with that mesh of diameter "2 mm" and fibers ratio of 0.6%. The slabs reinforced with steel wire welded mesh with a diameter "2 mm" and fibers showed an increase in impact resistance of 18% compared with the slabs reinforced with that mesh of diameter "3 mm".

Strength of SIFCON- Ferrocement One-Way Ribbed Slabs Contain Steel Fibers

Slurry infiltrated fiber concrete” composites (SIFCON) are a novel type of concrete with improved strength, ductility, and crack resistance. In this study, infiltrating fibers (SIFCON) were used to reinforce of specimens of ferrocement one way ribbed slabs. The laboratory work consists of cast and testing of eight specimens with dimensions of 750 mm in length, 500 mm in width and 50 mm in depth. These samples have the same wire mesh reinforcement and the same shape as the ferrocement slabs. Two reference ferrocement slab without ribs contains SIFCON and six ferrocement slabs with ribs contains SIFCON. The variables were the volumetric ratio of fibers in the ribs, which were (2, 4 and 6)% and type of steel fiber (hook-end and hybrid fiber). Hybrid fibers contain two type of steel fiber (hook-end and micro steel fiber) with equal ratio. All samples were tested under line load up to failure with mid deflections for each test with simple supported. The results of the test showed that the presence of steel fibers in the ferrocement ribs, for both types of steel fibers, improves the resistance to the final loads and the ability to reduce deflection and increases the ductility and stiffness significantly.

Structural Behavior of Ferrocement Concrete Plates Subjected to Flexural and Dynamic Loadings

Ferrocement is one of the structural materials, widely used due to its advantages from its particular behavior such as mechanical properties, and impact strength. This paper deals with the impact studies and energy absorption properties of ferrocement slabs. For these studies, 11 different ferrocement slabs of size 50 mm X 500 mm X 25 mm were cast with alteration in the combinations of mesh layers and test results are analyzed to find the different crack patterns .The test specimens were loaded by 3.10 kg under its height 1.20 m in the center of plates. The ferrocement plates were divided into 4 groups reinforced with steel mesh, steel mesh with steel bars, percentage of rubber and fiber. The impact energy at initial cracking stage and at failure was determined for all the slabs. Results of reinforced ferrocement plates emphasized that increasing the number of the steel mesh layers in the ferrocement forms increases the first cracking load, ultimate load and energy absorption. Using steel bars with steel meshes led to higher energy absorption than that obtained when using mild steel bars only. Using rubber and fiber achieved high impact energy.

Experimental investigation on Ferrocement slab using partial replacement of cement by ceramic powder

In this study, flexural behaviour of the Ferrocement panels of size 500 mm x 500 mm x 50 mm with partial replacement of ceramic powder under monotonic loading is observed. All the Ferrocement panels were casted with cement mortar of mix proportion 1:4 with w/c ratio of 0.45 and all the specimens were casted with single layer of galvanized welded wire mesh of 2mm diameter with mesh opening of 12.5 mm x 12.5 mm. The ceramic powder is administered at various percentage replacement of cement by weight and the adopted variations are 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%. Compressive strength of the mortar mix for all the different ratios of ceramic powder was carried out and the results were discussed. It can be concluded that the Panel with 10% replacement of ceramic powder offers appreciable results than the other panels.

Bending behaviour of ferrocement slab including basalt fibre in high strength cement matrix

Ferrocement is the term given to a composite member made of cementitious-based mortar with orderly spaced less diameter thick steel wire weld-mesh. In the present study, ferrocement slabs subjected to bending under four-point loading and impact using a drop weight loads were investigated. High Strength Cement (HSC) mortar mixes were designed, developed and selected for casting the ferrocement slab specimens. The slab has been casted using square wire weld mesh of opening size 50 mm × 50 mm and 10 mm thick was used as reinforcement along with varying percentage of basalt fibre 1%, 2% incorporations. It was found that the basalt fibres inclusion improvised the flexural strength and energy absorption capacity. It was also found that increased number of mesh layers also improvised the strength of the ferrocement member.

Flexural behavior of one-way ferrocement slabs with fibrous cementitious matrices

Concrete compressive strength enhancement is considered as one of the popular topics in the field of civil engineering. It has received a massive attention by material and structural engineers over the past decades. The aim of this study is to investigate thin mortar matrix for the impacts of the combination of reinforcing steel meshes with discontinuous fibers, and to do this, one-way Ferrocement slabs were tested under bending with steel fibers and meshes, focusing more on the number of mesh layers (1, 2, & 3) as the studied parameter. The percentages of fiber content as volumetric ratio 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 and type of fibers golden steel fibers and waste aluminum fibers from waste metallic cans. Results showed that at general the adding of fibers regardless of its type increased the ductility of tested slabs. In addition, results showed that steel fibers are more effective than aluminum fibers.

Experimental investigations of the structural behaviour of simply support ferrocement-timber composite beams

An experimental study of simply supported ferrocement timber composite members is presented in this paper. An adhesively bonded connection is examined. Sikadur 31 thixotropic epoxy resin adhesive is used as a shear connector layer. The main purpose of the research is generating data and providing information about the structural behaviour of proposed ferrocement timber composite (FTC) beams. Several parameters studied including thickness, and width of timber beams, the number of wire mash layers of ferrocement slab and the presence and absence of a bonding layer of the shear connector and the effect of sag and hog bending moment. Ferrocement-timber composite (FTC) beams are a relatively new civil engineering solution and their behaviour should be investigated to develop relevant methods for calculating their resistance. The slip and the pinnacle load limit for connector were resolved tentatively in two push-out tests. The authors examined the stiffness and the strength of the connection used to join a ferrocement slab with a timber beam. These parameters are fundamental for planning composite beam, on the grounds that the conduct of a composite beam framework is relied upon the solidness and the quality of its associations. The composite beams specimens were subjected to a three-point loading test. Measurements also show that the connection could be considered perfect as the slip remains very little during the test (except at failure). Tests disclosed excellent loading capacity of the suggested beams relative to their weight. The use of epoxy resin can be providing appropriate bonding between the two layers. The energy absorption increases with increasing dimensions of timber. The maximum increase in load with increasing the depth of timber (72.5%) when the thickness of timber Change from (85 to 190) mm.

An Experimental Investigation on Flexural Strength of Ferrocement Slab Made of Slag Sand Partially Replaced With Iron Ore Tailings

Effective use of slag sand and Iron Ore Tailings and other waste obtained from the manufacturing industry and mining industry like waste foundry sand, will reduce the negative impact on the environment and also will provide opportunities for effective use of natural resources and contribute to sustainability. The aim of this research project is to study the flexural strength of ferrocement slab made of slag sand partially replaced with iron ore tailings with sustainability point of view. Investigation of 48 slab panels of 700mm × 300 mm size with thickness 25 mm and 30 mm was conducted using 1 and 2 layers of weld mesh reinforcement casted with different percentage of iron ore tailings. Slabs were tested in Universal Testing Machine, which showed good results with 15% of iron ore tailings.

Behavior of Ferrocement Slabs Strengthening with Jute Fibers under Impact Load

The presented study is an experimental investigation that addresses the effects of jute fibers on the behavior of ferrocement slabs of dimensions 500 x 500 x 50 mm subjected to impact load, and it compares the obtained results with the reference ferrocement slabs. Three main cases of strengthening of slabs under the impact load have been investigated. In the first case, a square layer of jute fibers of dimensions 250×250 mm has been subjected to the impact load at the center of the slab. In the second case, jute fibers have been placed in two perpendicular directions at a distance of 50x450 mm, leaving a clear gap of 50 mm between the fibers, while in the third case, the jute fibers have been placed in two directions at a distance of 100x450 mm, leaving a clear gap of 75 mm between the fibers. The test results show that strengthening of the slabs with jute fiber strips significantly enhances the impact load strength. The best results have been achieved in the second case, when the strips of 50 mm width have been used. Such a configuration has enhanced the three failure statuses of test, first crack, slight separation, and full perforation by 722.58%, 232.26%, and 206.18%, respectively, when compared to the reference specimens.

Predicting the polymer modified ferrocement ultimate flexural strength using artificial neural network and adaptive network based fuzzy inference system

Ferrocement is a thin composite made with a cement-based mortar matrix reinforced with closely spaced layers of small diameter wire mesh. The mesh made of square weld mesh and minimum reinforcement. Ferrocement can also be considered a high performance laminated cementitious composite. The paper presents comparative models were developed to predict the Ultimate flexural strength using Artificial Neural Network and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System. The data have taken from experimental research work of ferrocement slabs. It reinforced with welded square mesh with different volume fraction and incorporating modified mortar with Recron fibre and artificial Latex with varying percentage. This work is attempted to develop an optimized method for prediction of Ultimate flexural strength and to reduce the design time.

Properties Of Ferro-Geopolymer Mortar Slab Panels

The purpose of this experimental research is to study the flexural behavior of Ferro-Geopolymer slab panels. Initially the ratio of binder to fine aggregate (1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3) and the ratio of Na2SiO3/ NaOH solution (2.5) is considered. The different combination of Fly ash and GGBS were considered. Ratio of alkaline liquid to binder ratio is fixed as 0.45. The Geopolymer mortar mix that gives compressive strength nearly equal to M20 grade concrete target mean strength was used to cast Ferro-Geopolymer slab panels. A slab of size (1000X1000X30) mm were cast of both ferrocement and Ferro-Geopolymer slab panels with two types of mesh were used such as square woven and square welded with single and double layers. Based on the results of slab load vs deflection of both types of meshes were compared from the characteristics of such as first crack load and ultimate load.