An experimental Investigation on slurry infiltrated fibrous ferrocement

Abstract

Ferrocement is a highly versatile construction material with relatively recent origin with high potentials for application to a variety of structures in the areas of boat building, agriculture, industry and newlinehousing. This material exhibits a high degree of elasticity and resistance to cracking and can be made without formwork. newlineFerrocement has high tensile strength as high as compressive strength and the width of cracks are very small even at failure. Ferrocement is fireproof, impermeable and resistant to corrosion and marine borers. It newlineis also resistant to damage from collision and abrasion against dock walls and other craft. A particular advantage of ferrocement lies in the monolithic nature, whereas wooden hulls must be rigidly constructed newlineto prevent working and leakage at the joints, ferrocement has no joints, therefore no caulking and fastenings to work, loose and cause leakage. Thermal properties are very good, this being of particular newlineinterest in construction of fish holds. Ferrocement fish holds are more newlineeasily insulated than are timber or steel constructions. The main disadvantage of ferrocement is that it cannot be employed where high impact, high vibration and high wear and tear are expected. Similarly newlineFiber reinforced concrete possesses higher compressive strength, toughness, increased resistance to wear and tear and higher post- newlinecracking strength. Its permeability is very low, and tensile and flexural strengths are lower than those of ferrocement. The advantage of using the fiber reinforced concrete is that it can be pumped and sprayed as ordinary concrete. As the fibers are uniformly dispersed all over the newline9 member, the surface wear and other characteristics of concrete are newlineconsiderably improved, reduces spalling and wide range of surface finishes can be imparted to concrete. The main disadvantage in using fiber reinforced concrete is that, steel fibers are being costlier at newlinepresent, fiber reinforced concrete becomes more expensive in terms of materials only and the other.