Experimental Investigation on the Flexural Behaviour of Precast Ferrocement Panels Reinforced With Galvanized Welded Wire Mesh for Low-Cost Housing Applications

Abstract

The increasing demand for affordable and durable housing has stimulated interest in precast ferrocement panels as an economical alternative to conventional reinforced concrete elements. Ferrocement panels with galvanized welded wire mesh reinforcement, however, need more experimental assessment in order to evaluate the flexural properties of such panels and ensure their suitability for application in the structural components of low-cost housing. The present study aims to explore the flexural behaviour of precast ferrocement panels reinforced using different types of galvanized welded wire mesh through an experimental study. The panels were cast and cured under controlled conditions using a cement–sand–mortar mix; tests for their structural response were conducted under the four-point bending method. The performance has been evaluated based on ultimate load capacity, midspan deflection, flexural strength, crack pattern and ductility index. The experimental results suggest that the panels reinforced by a higher number of galvanized welded wire mesh layers have higher flexural capacity, better crack distribution and higher energy absorption, but also lower ductility than the panels reinforced by fewer layers of welded wire meshes. The results confirm that the precast ferrocement panels are a novel solution, which can be used as a structurally efficient construction material for sustainable low cost housing applications, with light weight and cost-effective characteristics.