1. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), © IAEME
57
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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ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print)
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2. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), © IAEME
58
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) load-
deflection (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 Fig.2 Reinforcement placed in the mould

3. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), © IAEME
59
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.
Specimen First Crack
Load
(kN)
% increase
in first
crack load
Ultimate
Load
% increase
in Ultimate
load
1 2 Layer 3.2KN - 5.6kN -
2 3 Layer 5.4KN 68.75 % 8.4kN 50 %
3 4 Layer 6KN 87.5 % 9.7kN 73.21 %
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.

4. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), © IAEME
60
Fig 5. Load Deflection Curves Fig 6. Load Deflection Curves
(Static load) (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.
Specimen First Crack
Load
(kN)
% increase
in first crack
load
Ultimate
Load
(kN)
% increase in
Ultimate load
1 2 Layer 1.3 - 3.9 -
2 3 Layer 1.9 46.15 % 4.3 10.25 %
3 4 Layer 3.6 89.47% 8.2 110.25 %
0
2
0
2
4
2
0
2
4
6
4
2
0
2
4
6
86
4
2
0
2
4
6
8
8.2
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 5 10
Deflectioninmm
Load in kN

5. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), © IAEME
61
Fig 7. Load Deflection Curves Fig 8. Load Deflection Curves
(Cyclic load on 3 layer slab) (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. Increasing the number of layers of mesh increases the flexural strength of the
ferrocement slabs.
2. Slabs with highest number of layers of wire mesh have highest flexural strength under
both types of loading.
3. 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.
4. The percentage increase of flexural strength of static loading condition of 4 layer slab
over 2 layer slab is 73.21%
5. 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.
6. The percentage increase of flexural strength of cyclic loading condition of 4 layer slab
over 2 layer slab is 110.25%
7. 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.
8. It was also seen that, as the number of layers increases, it is difficult to pack them into
layer into same thickness
0
2
0
2
4
2
0
2
4
6
4
2
0
2
4
6
7
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 2 4 6 8
Deflectioninmm
Load in kN
0
2
0
2
4
2
0
2
4
5
4
2
0
2
4
00
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
0 2 4 6
deflectoninmm
load in kN

6. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, May - June (2013), © IAEME
62
REFERENCES
1. Anitha .M et. al. Coimbatore, India (2012). “An experimental investigation on the
flexural behaviour of SCC ferrocement slabs incorporating fibres”, International Journal
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floor and wall construction”, “our world in Concrete and structures”.
3. Dr.Wail N. Al-Rifaie andMuyasser M. Joma’ah, Tikrit, Iraq (2010). “Structural
behaviour of ferrocement system for roofing”, “Diyala Journal of engineering sciences” ,
pp-237-248
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. K. Sasiekalaa and R. Malathy, “Flexural Performance of Ferrocement Laminates
Containing Silicafume and Fly Ash Reinforced with Chicken Mesh”, International
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