FERROCEMENT Ferrocement is a relatively new material consisting

FERROCEMENT Ø Ferrocement is a relatively new material consisting of wire meshes and cement mortar. Ø This material was developed by P. L. Nervi, an Italian Architect and Engineer, in 1940. Ø This is a form of reinforced concrete Consisting of closely spaced, multiple layers of mesh or fine rods as reinforcement surrounded by cement mortar. Ø Ferrocement is much thinner than reinforced concrete, and the mesh can be formed to any shape without a conventional form, and then plastered or mortared by hand or by shotcreting. Ø The wire mesh is usually of 0. 5 to 1. 0 mm dia wire at 5 mm to 10 mm spacing and cement mortar is of the ratio of 1: 2 to 1: 3 with W/C ratio of 0. 4 to 0. 45 ADVANTAGES § Simplicity of construction § Lesser Dead Weight of the elements due their small thicknesses. § High tensile strength. § Less crack width compared to conventional concrete. 1

• Easy repairability. • Non-corrosive nature. • Easier mouldability to any required shape. • Saving in cement and steel USES: Its use is highly specialized and is used in the following v Boats v Mobile homes v Swimming pools v Silos v Water tanks v Curved roofs These uses are a reflection of a high tensile strength to mass ratio, and of a superior resistance to cracking compared with reinforced concrete. 2