Experimental Investigation of Lightweight Ferrocement I -Beams with Web Openings
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Volume Title: ICASGE2023
DOI: ICASGE-RCS
Authors
Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Menoufia University, Egypt
Abstract
The objective of the research is to investigate the structural behavior of lightweight ferrocement I –beams with openings in the web, that have less density than normal concrete which makes them suitable for some special structures. Two different types of meshes were used, welded mesh and geogrid biaxial mesh. Nine beams are tested under a four-point loading system until failure. The experimental program is branched into three groups according to the type of reinforcement used. Group 1 consists of two control beams: C1 without openings, without polypropylene fiber and C2 with three openings but with polypropylene fiber. These two beams are reinforced with steel bars and stirrups without any meshes. Group 2 consists of five beams reinforced with different layers of welded mesh in addition to the main reinforcement used in control beams. These beams contain polypropylene fiber and were executed with different openings number. Group 3 consists of two beams reinforced with different layers of tensar mesh. Each beam has two openings. Expanded polystyrene wastes was used to decrease the weight of beams. Fly ash and silica fume were used to increase the compressive strength. Different crack shapes for failure were observed during the test. Beams reinforced with welded steel meshes showed higher ultimate load, ductility ratio, serviceability loads, and energy absorption. It can be said that these light weight ferrocement I beam can be used instead of steel and normal concrete beams for high building constructions due to their good mechanical properties as well as high ultimate loads.
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