INTERNATIONAL CIVIL ENGINEERING International Journal of CivilJOURNAL Engineering andOF Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 AND (Print),

, ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May June (2013), IAEME TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)
ISSN 0976 6308 (Print) ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), pp. 57-62 IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijciet.asp Journal Impact Factor (2013): 5.3277 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com

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COMPOSITE ACTION OF FERROCEMENT SLABS UNDER STATIC AND CYCLIC LOADING

Dr. T.Ch.Madhavi*, Shanmukha Kavya .V**, Siddhartha Das**, Sri Prashanth .V**, Vetrivel .V** *Prof & HOD, Civil Engg, SRM University, Ramapuram Chennai-600 089, India. **BE (Final Year), SRM University, Ramapuram, Chennai-600 089, India.

ABSTRACT Ferrocement is a composite material that can be used for construction of certain structures such as ships, water tanks, boats and other similar structures, where we need not use lot of resources such as coarse aggregates. This paper presents the flexure studies on ferro cement slabs, where the number of reinforcing weld mesh layers are varied as 2 layers, 3 layers and 4 layers. 6 slabs are cast, 2 each for each type of reinforcing, i.e., 2 slabs of 2 layers, 2 slabs of 3 layers, 2 slabs of 4 layers, using custom made moulds. They are tested for static and cyclic loading conditions of flexure testing after 28 days of curing. After the tests, the results are tabulated and represented graphically and analysed. It is found that, increasing the number of layers of mesh increases the flexural strength of the ferro cement slabs. Also, as the number of layers increase, the crack propagation is slow. Key Words: Ferro Cement Slabs, flexure, Static loading, cyclic loading INTRODUCTION Ferro cement is a composite material made up of cement mortar and reinforcement in the form of layer of mesh. Ferro cement consists of closely spaced, multiple layers of mesh or fine rods completely embedded in cement mortar. A composite material is formed that behaves differently from conventional reinforced concrete in strength, deformation, and potential applications, and thus is classified as a separate and distinct material. It can be formed into thin panels or sections with only a thin mortar cover over the outermost layers of reinforcement. Compared to other cement concrete structures, those made of ferrocement are light weight, tough, durable, crack resistance and can be made into virtually any shape1. Over
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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), IAEME

the years, applications involving ferrocement have increased due to its properties such as strength, toughness, water tightness, lightness, ductility and environmental stability. Ferrocement may be cast in various shapes and forms even without the use of form work and are aesthetically very appealing. Ferrocement has a very high tensile strength to weight ratio and superior cracking behaviour in comparison to reinforced concrete2. Hence, Ferrocement is an attractive material for construction of shell, folded plate, ribbed slab and housing components. The slenderness of these elements may adversely affect their performance under working loads. Hence, there is a need to study their (a) first crack strength and (b) loaddeflection (P-d) behaviour. While (a) and (b) characterize the serviceability behaviour of ferrocement elements, it is equally important to predict their flexural strength. Wail N. Al-Rifaie3 et al studied the structural behaviour using two ferrocement channel-like beams to form I-cross-section beam and indicated that ferrocement can be used in construction of buildings. Y. Yardim et al4 (2008), investigated the performance of inverted two-way ribs precast ferrocement thin panel as permanent formwork and found that the thin panel with suitable ribs layout and support distance can be used as permanent formwork. Jalal .A. Saeed et al4 tested ferrocement one way slabs with openings subjected to two point loads taking into consideration number of mesh layers and size of the openings as variables. The results showed that by increasing number of mesh layers the slabs flexural strength increased and size of the openings have negative effect on flexural strength of the slabs. Essam Eltehawy observed the influence of using Ferrocement in enhancement of the mechanical properties of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to impact, penetration and fire. Deeptha Shri. S (2012) studied the flexural behaviour of self-compacting concrete (SCC) ferrocement fiber reinforced slab panels. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION 6 ferrocement slabs of dimensions 600 mm x 300 mm and 25 mm thickness and welded mesh in 2, 3 and 4 layers are tested under static and cyclic loading. Ordinary Portland cement, River sand and potable water are used. Welded wire mesh of 3mm diameter and 25 mm x 25 mm spacing is used. Chicken mesh is used on either sides of the layer formed. Normal binding wire is used to tie up the welded wire mesh with each other and chicken mesh to form the core of the slabs. 1:3 cement mortar with a water cement ratio of 0.48 was prepared.

Fig1 Reinforcement of slab

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Fig.2 Reinforcement placed in the mould

International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), IAEME

Fig 3. Test Setup

Fig 4. Failure of slab

The slab is placed under 2 point load with dial gauge fixed to it as shown in fig 3 and tested till failure as shown in fig 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The deflections were measured at the mid-span and the first crack and ultimate loads are noted. Static loading First Crack Loading In static loading, the slab with 3 layer shows 68.75% increase in first crack load from the slab with 2 layers. Similarly the slab with 4 layers has increased by 87.5% . Hence the 3 layer slab shows considerable increase over the 2 layers slab as shown in table 1 below. Table1: First Crack and Ultimate loads under static loading
Sl. No. 1 2 3 Specimen First Crack Load (kN) 3.2KN 5.4KN 6KN % increase in first crack load 68.75 % 87.5 % Ultimate Load 5.6kN 8.4kN 9.7kN % increase in Ultimate load 50 % 73.21 %

2 Layer 3 Layer 4 Layer

Ultimate Load The ultimate failure is a bit low for the 2 layer mesh slab, 5.6 kN. But the ultimate failure is relatively high for both 3 layer and 4 layer mesh slabs i.e, 8.4 kN and 9.7 kN respectively. This shows an increase of 50% over 2 layer slab. The 4 layer slab shows an increase of 15.47% ultimate strength than 3 layer slab and 73.21 % over the 2 layer slab.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), IAEME

25
Deflection in mm

20 15 10 2 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 6 6

8.2 8 8

5 Load in kN

10

Fig 5. Load Deflection Curves (Static load)

Fig 6. Load Deflection Curves (Cyclic load on 2 layer slab)

Load deflection Curves The load deflection curves were plotted for FC/2L, FC/3L and FC/4L as shown in fig. 5. The curves are almost linear for all the 3 slabs in static loading. But towards failure, there is a sudden increase in deflection. Hence the deflection increases gradually for lesser loads. And as the loads increase, deflection increases. Cyclic Loading First Crack load In cyclic loading, the slab with 3 layer shows 46.15% increase in first crack load from the slab with 2 layers. Similarly the slab with 4 layers has increased by 89.47%. Hence the 4 layer slab shows considerable increase over the 2 layers slab. Ultimate load The ultimate failure is a bit low for the 2 layer mesh slab, 3.9 kN. But the ultimate failure is relatively high for both 3 layer and 4 layer mesh slabs i.e, 4.3 kN and 8.2 kN respectively. This shows an increase of 10.25% over 2 layer slab. The 4 layer slab shows an increase of 15.47% ultimate strength than 3 layer slab and 110.25 % over the 2 layer slab Table2: First Crack and Ultimate loads under cyclic loading Sl. No. 1 2 3 Specimen First Crack Load (kN) 1.3 1.9 3.6 % increase in first crack load 46.15 % 89.47% Ultimate Load (kN) 3.9 4.3 8.2 % increase in Ultimate load 10.25 % 110.25 %

2 Layer 3 Layer 4 Layer

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), IAEME

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0

35

4 4 2 2

5
30 7

deflecton in mm

Deflection in mm

25 20 15 10 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 4 Load in kN 4 4 4 4 6

4 4 2 2 2 0 2 load in kN 4 6

Fig 7. Load Deflection Curves (Cyclic load on 3 layer slab)

Fig 8. Load Deflection Curves (Cyclic load on 3 layer slab)

CRACK PATTERNS The cracks under flexure loading were observed to be parallel to each other, and they were in the plane perpendicular to load application. The cracks appeared on the face of the slab which was opposite to the face of load application. It is also observed that in the 4 layer mesh slab, the first crack appeared very later, and the increase in the cracks, upon application of load was slow. CONCLUSIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Increasing the number of layers of mesh increases the flexural strength of the ferrocement slabs. Slabs with highest number of layers of wire mesh have highest flexural strength under both types of loading. The flexure strength under static loading increased by 50% % for 3 layer slab, from 2 layer slab. It further increases by 15.47 % for 4 layer slab over 3 layer slab. The percentage increase of flexural strength of static loading condition of 4 layer slab over 2 layer slab is 73.21% The flexure strength under cyclic loading increased by 10.25 % for 3 layer slab, from 2 layer slab. It further increases by 90 % for 4 layer slab. The percentage increase of flexural strength of cyclic loading condition of 4 layer slab over 2 layer slab is 110.25% As the number of layers increase the crack propagation is slow, and the crack spacing is least for 4 layer mesh slabs, which ultimately leads to better load bearing capacities. It was also seen that, as the number of layers increases, it is difficult to pack them into layer into same thickness
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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), IAEME

REFERENCES

1. Anitha .M et. al. Coimbatore, India (2012). An experimental investigation on the 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

flexural behaviour of SCC ferrocement slabs incorporating fibres, International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology,Vol. 4; No. 5; pp 2146-2158. Ezzat. H. Fahmyet. al. Cairo, Egypt (2009).Ferrocement sandwich and cored panels for floor and wall construction, our world in Concrete and structures. Dr.Wail N. Al-Rifaie andMuyasser M. Jomaah, Tikrit, Iraq (2010). Structural behaviour of ferrocement system for roofing, Diyala Journal of engineering sciences , pp-237-248 Y.Yardim et. Al (2010), Performance of Precast Ferrocement Panel for Composite Masonry Slab System, International Conference on Construction and Building Technology, 2008, ICCBT 2008 - B - (36) pp397-408. Jalal .A. Saeed, PaymanH. Mohammad , and lbrahimH. Aziz, (2008). Behaviour and flexural strength of ferrocement one way slabs with square openings, Journal of Zankoy Sulaimoni, Vol. 1 No.1. K. Sasiekalaa and R. Malathy, Flexural Performance of Ferrocement Laminates Containing Silicafume and Fly Ash Reinforced with Chicken Mesh, International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology (IJCIET), Volume 3, Issue 2, 2012, pp. 130 - 143, ISSN Print: 0976 6308, ISSN Online: 0976 6316. Mohammed Mansour Kadhum, Effect of Dynamic Load: Impact of Missile on Mechanical Behavior of Ferrocement Infrastructure Application, International Journal of Civil Engineering & Technology (IJCIET), Volume 4, Issue 2, 2013, pp. 295 - 305, ISSN Print: 0976 6308, ISSN Online: 0976 6316.

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