(1)1 FERROCEMENT  Ferrocement is a relatively new material consisting of wire meshes and cement mortar

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FERROCEMENT

 Ferrocement is a relatively new material consisting of wire meshes and cement mortar.

 This material was developed by P.L. Nervi, an Italian Architect and Engineer, in 1940.

 This is a form of reinforced concrete Consisting of closely spaced, multiple layers of mesh or fine rods as reinforcement surrounded by cement mortar.

 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.

 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.

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• 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

 Boats

 Mobile homes

 Swimming pools

 Silos

 Water tanks

 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.