Ferrocement: A New Material for Construction
Abstract
The author has investigated experimentally the possibility of applying the ferrocement for the construction of buildings with straight and flat form in contrast to the earlier application to curvilinear structures. This finding will be useful for the construction of muti-storeyed building to cater to the needs of surging population. This experimental investigation has established the credential of this material for the construction of high-rise building. This experimental investigation consists of casting of different components in ferrocement; curing as per the relevant codal provision; and testing of each component individually as well as assembled one as in real structure. The individual panel was able to sustain a maximum load of 31.6 kN and had undergone a deflection of 36 mm under this load without any damage whereas the assembled deck sustained an ultimate load of 14 kN with a failure deflection of 3.16 mm. The individual panel was found to be very flexible and the assembled deck was found to be very stiff. At ultimate load the panel didn’t crush like in the case of reinforced concrete and only sustained the load with large deflection. The deck was found to be very stiff. This investigation has established that ferrocement as a construction material is similar to reinforced concrete in strength and behaviour.
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