Study on Flexural Behaviour of Ferrocement Slabs Reinforced with PVC-coated Weld Mesh

The authors of this experimental research work have made an attempt to experimentally investigate the ultimate flexural load of ferrocement slabs of size 700mm. X 200mm. X 15mm. (thickness) reinforced with PVC coated steel weld mesh, and compare the results with slabs using GI-coated steel weld mesh, by varying the number of layers from 1-3. Ordinary Portland Cement, locally available river sand and potable water have been used in preparation of cement mortar, and the sand-cement ratio of 2:1 and water-cement ratio of 0.43 have been used in accordance with ACI codes. The flexural strength of ferrocement slabs was determined on four-point loading using a specially fabricated flexure loading frame. The flexural load, maximum deflection, crack-pattern and crack-width of ferrocement slabs reinforced have been analysed using varying PVC and GI coated weld mesh layers (1-3). Increasing the number of mesh layers from 1-3 caused a substantial increase in flexural load as well as improvement in ductility behavior of ferrocement slabs. It was also found that the flexural load of slabs with PVC-coated weld mesh is 90% that of specimens reinforced with GI-coated weld mesh, and therefore, PVC-coated weld mesh can be effectively used in ferrocement slabs, as noncorrosive reinforcement. Keywords––Crack, Deflection, Ferrocement, Load, Non-corrosive Coating, Weld-Mesh