Elective Report

Innovative Construction Material & Technology

Ferrocement and It’s Application
BY Group 4
 Sanap Ashwini  Redkar Mansi  More Chetan
 Bhatt Pooja  Chandre Trupti

Faculty
Prof. Anil Pawade

Year 2020-2021

D Y PATIL COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

NAVI MUMBAI MAHARASHTRA

1|Page
 ABSTRACT
The paper aims to bring out the benefits of using ferro-cement over other materials. The
properties of this material like the thickness which less than any other material with such
good tensile strength can be a option for various needs. Since in India many architects and
engineers though having known about this material use this material very less this paper
brings into notice like easy self-handy properties, strength related properties, environment
related properties that will encourage this use of material in construction field. As this
material is also resistant to many disasters up to a certain level this can be used to fight
back various problems of property loss, time for rebuilding it, cost required for rebuilding
homes, etc this material can be a quick solution to such natural problems.

Key words- Ferrocement, properties, materials.

1. INTRODUCTION

Ferro cement as the name suggests is a system of composite construction using

reinforcement embedded in concrete. Ferro means containing iron but in actual practice
steel which is an alloy of iron is generally used as the frame work for the construction
with some main bars and closely placed multiple layers of wire mesh. This metallic mesh
can be replaced with jute, bamboo or wood. This mesh is then covered on both sides with
cement mortar which has relatively no aggregate or very small size of aggregate
depending on the structural element to be built. The ACI (American Concrete Institute)
Committee 549 has given the following definition for Ferrocement in their report in 1988:
“Ferrocement is a form of reinforced concrete using closely spaced multiple layers of
mesh and/or small diameter rods completely infiltrated with, or encapsulated in, mortar.”
It is a low technology, self-help, high performance composite, conserves resources and
saves energy.

2|Page
 2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

(Article by Junaid Ahmad / Concrete, Construction, Ferrocement)

Joseph Louis Lambot is considered father of ferrocement. He constructed boats, seats, and
plant pots in 1855 and patented his innovation with name of “Ferciment” in France. In
1940’s Pier Luigi Nervi of Italy reinvented ferrocement, he tested ferrocement to discover
its characteristics and performed some experiments to recognize advantages of
ferrocement. Nervi first used ferrocement in a public structure in 1948 that was an
exposition hall at Turin with 100 m span roof. The roof was constructed using
prefabricated panels of ferrocement. In 1953, Nervi used ferrocement for roof of Milan
Fair Building and Flaminio Stadium, Rome. In 1959 Nervi used ferrocement corrugations
for construction of cantilever roof. Research Studies on ferrocement behaviour started in
late fifties. In 1968, fisheries department of USA built boats with ferrocement in Asia,
Africa and Latin America to be used in fishing. In 1972, US academy of sciences reported
potential applications of ferrocement in developing countries. In 1975, American concrete
institute formed committee ACI 549 on ferrocement. The committee issued its first report
in 1980. In 1976, International Ferrocement Information Center (IFIC) formed at Asian
Institute of Technology (AIT) Bangkok. In 1979 RILEM formed committee 48 for
Ferrocement (Sasiekalaa and Malathy 2012). International Ferrocement Society formed a
committee IFS-10-01 which developed ferrocement model code (FMC) in 2001. A lot of
research on ferrocement is going on to develop it as a substitute material for various
conventional construction materials such as bricks, stones, timber, steel, concrete.
Data Source: (http://www.engineersbay.com/ferrocement-history-and-development/)

Image 1: Exhibition hall at turin

3|Page
(Source: http://www.engineersbay.com/ferrocement-history-and-development/)

3. COMPONENTS OF FERROCEMENT
Ferrocement consists of cement, sand, wire mesh and various admixtures. The main
difference between RCC and ferrocement is the scale. RCC uses large size reinforcing bar
as compared to wire/mesh in Ferrocement. Reinforced concrete consists less volume of
the metallic part as compared to that of ferrocement. It does not contain large size
aggregate as used in RCC only cement mortar is used. At times, depending upon the
structural requirement Ferro-cement may consists of large size bars along with wire mesh.
The number of layers of wire mesh to be provided depends upon the applications for
which it is going to be used. Typical cross section of ferrocement are shown in image 1.

Image 2: Typical cross section of Ferro-cement

(Source: https://issuu.com/irjet/docs/irjet-v4i6536)

3.1 MORTAR COMPOSITION

Portland cement is generally used in Ferro-cement. But the type of cement to be selected
should depend on its application where to be used and in which environment to be used.
The ratio of sand to cement ratio is usually in the range of 1 to 2.5 by weight whereas
water to cement ratio is in the range of 0.4 to 0.6 by weight. In order to enhance the
properties of cement in wet and hardened state fly-ash, slag and silica fume should be
used. These minerals will also act as fine filler material. Salt free sand should be used.

4|Page
Sand particle should be one third of the opening of the mesh so that it penetrate in the
reinforcement mesh.
3.2 MESH REINFORCEMENT

Image 3: typical wire mesh typologies

(Source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcivildigital.com
%2Fwhat-is-ferro-)

Image 4: Typical wire mesh typologies

(Source: http://ignited.in/a/56858)
Ferrocement along with mortar uses layers of small diameter wire mesh as reinforcement.
The volume and the specific surface area of the reinforced wire are considerably higher
for ferrocement as compared to that of normal reinforced concrete. Different types of wire
meshes are available like woven or welded mesh, perforated sheet products and expanded
metal lath. Even the shape of the wire mesh varies from square to hexagonal. All the
5|Page
meshes which are used as reinforcement in ferrocement are galvanized except expanded
metal mesh. Mesh made from vegetable fibres and alkali resistant glass fibres are also
used.

4 .CONSTITUENTS OF FERROCEMENT

4.1 CEMENT
The cement is fresh, uniform consistency and free from lumps and foreign matter.
Generally Portland cement of 43 or 53 grade is used.
4.2 AGGREGATE
Well graded and washed river sand passing 2.36mm IS sieve. Size of aggregate depends
on size of mesh and spacing between mesh. For 13 mm mesh opening max size of
aggregate 3.25mm, 1/4th its opening size. The fine aggregate should be clean, free from
organic matter.
4.3 CLEAN WATER
In Ferro cement, the water used should be fresh, clean and fit for construction purposes;
pH equal or greater than 7 and free from organic matter.
4.4 STEEL
Three basic types of meshes are Weld mesh, Fine wire mesh in form of woven square
mesh and interlocked hexagonal wire mesh, expanded metal and Crimped wire mesh.

5. STEPS

5.1 PLANNING THE WORK

5.2 FABRICATING SKELETON OF THE STRUCTURE

6|Page
Image source: http://oer.nios.ac.in/wiki/index.php/File:Ferrocement_image-2.png

5.3 TYING THE WELD MESH AND WIRE MESH TO BARS

Image source: http://oer.nios.ac.in/wiki/index.php/File:Ferrocement_image-2.png

5.4 A CHICKEN WIRE MESH LAYER IS ATTACHED TO THIS

OUTLINE

Image source: http://oer.nios.ac.in/wiki/index.php/File:Ferrocement_image-2.png

5.5 MORTARING THE MESHES

7|Page
Image source: http://oer.nios.ac.in/wiki/index.php/File:Ferrocement_image-2.png

5.6 TESTING

The wall panels constructed in Ferro cement are removed from tank after curing of 28
days. Testing was carried under UTM machine for flexure test.
Two Point Loading System
Next the panels were loaded UTM Machine for under two point loading and load and
deflections
5.7 PRECAUTIONS ABOUT CURING

Though Ferro cement structures gain sufficient strength in one weeks’ time, curing should
be done for about 26 days.

6. PROPSALS AND RECCOMENDATIONS IN

FERROCEMENT

1. Ferro cement technology can be used in all fields of construction including buildings,
industrial structures, water retaining structures, earth retaining structures, space structures
and precast concrete products
2. It is cost effective to use Ferro cement in low rise mass housing than RCC
3. Proposed where shapes are complicated and shuttering is not possible
4. Ideal for housing in earthquake zones.

8|Page
5. Ideal for use in remote locations which has shortage of material and skilled labour.
6. Ideal for structures which require reduced load on foundation
7. Ideally used in areas which has shortage of material like brick, wood and stone
aggregate.
8. Soundproof, heat proof and waterproof structure
9. Fabricate factory made modular panels.

7. FERROCEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

As thin structural elements, ferrocement has been used in numerous applications ranging
from engineered structures to architectural applications (Paramasivam, 2011) such as
sheets, boards, shells, hulls, and also sandwich type construction using thin skins, and
constructions where the reduction of self-weight, improved water permeability and
development of very fine crack widths are essential (Sakthivel & Jagannathan, 2011).
7.1 STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
Ferrocement can be used in various structural members subjected to different type of
stresses. As a compression member, hollow columns with horizontal stiffners can be cast
in ferrocement. Columns or walls in concrete, RCC, stone or brickwork can be encased in
ferrocement to increase their strength due to confinement. Members subjected to
membrane stresses like shells, domes, pyramids can be cast in ferrocement very easily;
and being a homogenous material, full section of member is utilized in resisting the
membrane stresses. A ferrocement hyperbolic paraboloid shell structure was constructed
by the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers at the University of
Illinois in Chicago, U.S.A. in 1977 (Naaman, 2000). Funded by the International
Development Research Centre of Canada, two proptotype cylindrical water tanks for the
collection of rainwater were designed, constructed, and tested for use in the rural areas of
the Phillipines (Paramasivam et al. 1990). A greater use could be made of ferrocement in
water-retaining constructions and other similar constructions where crack width is a

9|Page
design criterion (Al-Kubaisy and Jumaat, 2000). Because of its very small crack widths
under service load and it superior extensibility, ferrocement provides excellent leakage
characteristics for applications in water tanks; moreover, should pressure increase,
ferrocement stretches to allow higher leakage and acts as a safety valve, thus, it does not
fail (Naaman, 2000).

Image Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure-1-4-Ferrocement-Wall-

Panel_fig3_303939594
7.2 ROOFING APPLICATION
Ferrocement appears to be an economic alternative material for roofing; and flat or
corrugated roofing system is quite popular (ACI Committee 549-R97). Ferrocement
roofing materials can be factory mass-produced in prefabricated form, a process best
suited to the concentrated demands of the urban area, or it also can be fabricated in-situ in
villages. Construction of hundreds of ferrocement roofs for poorer areas of Mexico has
been well documented; most of these ferrocement roofs were dome shaped with a span of
3 to 6m (10 to 20 ft); and large ferrocement roofs have also been constructed in Italy
spanning 17m (56 ft) with a thickness of 30 mm (1.2 in.). The use of ferrocement as
roofing for large span structures with internal ribs has been successful in many European
and South American countries. Domes have been constructed in Jordan using 25 mm (1
in) thick ferrocement with internal ribs (Jennings, 1983).

7.3 NEED FOR REPAIR OF RCC STRUCTURES

Some major reasons for the deterioration of RCC structures are cracking (due to
incorrectly made construction joints, poor compaction, segregation, poor curing and high
water content) and spalling (due to corrosion in the reinforcement bars accelerated by a
lack of adequate cover). The cracks in the concrete may be developed due to wrong design
of structure or due to poor quality of materials used, and this will facilitate internal
corrosion of steel reinforcement used in RCC elements; the cracks in course of time

10 | P a g e
deepens up due to increase in corrosion and subsequently, peeling of concrete cover or
spalling of concrete takes place. Use of proper repairing materials and methods of
damaged or deteriorated RCC structures is a necessity not only to serve the intended
service life but also assure the safety of buildings (Masood et al. 2003).

7.4 FERROCEMENT REPAIR TECHNIQUES

A good repair improves the function and performance of structures, restore and increase
its strength and stiffness, enhances the appearance of the concrete surface, provides water
tightness and prevents ingress of the aggressive species to the steel surface durability
(Jumaat et al., 2006). Ferrocement repairs and rehabilitation can be done in RCC
structures to increase the strength of columns, beams and slabs upto 30% as well as
contribute towards prevention of crack formation. Ferrocement which can be made from
non-formwork construction processes is an advantage over other types of repair and
strengthening techniques; enhanced crack resistance combined with high toughness, its
rapid constructions with no heavy machinery involved, small additional weight it imposes,
and considering an economical aspect of rehabilitation, this material proves to be a cost
effective solution for rehabilitation and general applications (Jeyasehar and Vidivelli,
2006). The ferrocement material is a waterproof system and does not allow the
penetration of water and atmospheric gases. It can totally replace deteriorated/ damaged
RCC chajjas with reduction in dead load.

7.5 FERROCEMENT REPAIR METHODOLOGY

It is generally noticed that corrosion of RCC structures most commonly takes place in the
main reinforcement in slabs, beams and columns and the stirrups, where proper cover is
not maintained and where reinforcement is exposed in the cover area. Patchwork repair
can be done using ferrocement to the damaged concrete surfaces in slabs, beams and
columns to restore the original strength of the RCC. Ferrocement patch repair method can
be carried out in columns, bottom and middle portions of beams, soffit of slabs, etc. and
following are the repairing steps recommended in the previous studies (Vidivelli et al.
2001; Banu and Taranju, 2010; Zamin Bin Jumaat et al., 2010)
Step 1: Breaking open the damaged spalled cover or the affected zone or the cover of
RCC elements (such as beams or columns) with the help of a chisel and hammer.

11 | P a g e
Step 2: Exposing the original reinforcing bars and scraping of corrosive layers of reinforcement
and applying anti-corrosive paints (if any) or cutting and replacing the corroded reinforcement
Step 3: Roughening the concrete surface, and placing chicken and/or galvanised wire/ weld
mesh in position and the mesh should get fixed/ embedded to original slab/beam/column
reinforcement. Use skeletal reinforcement, if required.
Step 4: Applying cement mortar on the reinforcing wire-mesh by hand or through spraying
(similar to guniting/ shotcreting methods)
Step 5: Provide necessary curing for 28 days.
Alternatively, ferrocement membrane protective layer can be carried out. In this, layers of
closely spaced wires can be used on to the RCC surfaces to prevent crack widening. The
cement matrix is in proportion of about 1:2 and has admixtures which reduce shrinkage
and develop early high strength. The matrix is vibrated locally using light vibrating tools.
Finish of the membrance is just like plaster.

8. FERROCEMENT IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATIONS

The advantage of this technology is that it is very flexible, and can be used to create any
shape and form of structure.

8.1 SOME IMPORTANT USES OF FERROCEMENT ARE AS

FOLLOWS:

1. Ferro cement planks & panels can be used for construction of beams, columns,
floor, roofs, walls, chajjas and lintels.
2. It can be used in combination with plain cement concrete or reinforced cement
concrete.
3. Ferro cement being a thin material single piece panel of size up to 4.5m x 4.5m or
more can be manufactures as floors and walls. Large span beams, roofs can also be
constructed.
4. Ferro cement membrane lining is used for water proofing of terraces, basements,
tanks.
5. Ferro cement water proofing is the only treatment where reinforcement is used in
the form of wire mesh layers and vibrations are provided in the matrix layers.

12 | P a g e
 Therefore, ferrocement water proofing treatment should generally last longer than
conventional.
6. Ferro cement is a good material for elevation treatment. Since it is constructed in
these sections, it contributes negligible dead weight, and at the same time it is
crack resistant, water proof and strong.
7. Ferro cement is a very good fire resistant material having capacity to resist fire up
to 750°C for long period of 48 hours and even more.
8. Ferro cement can be modified to resist even high temperatures, say 1200°C to
1500°C.
9. Ferro cement buildings are better pollution and fire resistant as compared to RCC.
Therefore, ferrocement buildings are preferable to RCC for functional VIP and
strategic buildings.

Image source:- https://happho.com/ferro-cement

9. APPLICATIONS OF FERROCEMENT

 Used in making boats

 Used as planks for shelves in housing projects replacing costly wooden planks

 Used in construction of boxes for water and electrical meters

 Used in construction of sewage manhole covers

 Ferro-cement components are Used in Rural areas for low cost housing

 Recently Ferro-cements are used in some residential and industrial buildings also

13 | P a g e
 Image source: - https://happho.com/ferro-cement
 With the help of Ferrocement material, many Precast Ferro cement products are
made like Septic Tanks, Water Tanks and Designer Roofs.
 Designer Roof is a new concept in the building industry. All products are eco-
friendly and its designs naturally blend with the environment.

Famous FC Products are: Designer Roofs, Dome, Septic Tanks, Roofing slabs, Water
Tanks, Drainage channels, Iron Removal Plant, Long bench, Boats and Vessels.

10. PROPERTIES OF FERRO-CEMENT

Ferro-cement is an extremely thin reinforced member versatile materials with depth of

around 25mm but the properties which it has got has with respect to materials behaviour
and its suitability for structural application is quite unique. Compared to other form of
concrete construction Ferro-cement possesses greater degree of toughness, durability,
strength and crack resistance.

10.1 TENSILE BEHAVIOUR

14 | P a g e
Tensile strength of Ferro-cement is depended on write mesh system which it has. Tensile
strength of Ferro-cement varies depending upon number of layers of wire mesh, spacing
between the mesh, shape of the wire mesh orientation of wire mesh in it.Tensile behavior
of Ferro cement is entirely different as compared to that normal reinforced concrete;
specific surface area of reinforcement is larger diameter bars which are distributed
uniformly. Tensile strength of Ferro-cement is limited to the tensile strength of
reinforcement taken alone the direction of loading as mortar layer above itself has very
less tensile strength. Tensile strength in Ferro-cement is of same order as that of
compressive strength in it

Square mess at 0° or 90 is equally efficient, while the efficiency of square meshes in

tension get reduced up to 50% if the wires are arranged at 45° to the loading axis. Meshes
with smaller opening decreases the size of the cracks formed and thus indirectly helps out
in obtaining high strength concrete. The tensile strength of Ferro-cement is directly
depended on the volume of reinforcement present in it. More the reinforcement (wire
meshes) higher is the tensile strength. Transverse reinforcement helps in increasing tensile
strength and safety of structure.
10.2 CRACKING

First cracking is one of the important parameters on which the cracking pattern of ferro-
cement depends on. First cracking can be subjective and it depends upon how the cracks
are viewed through microscope or through naked eyes. The first crack width may range
anything between 0.005 mm to 0.1 mm depending upon how they are noticed. First
cracking basically means the first deviation which occurs in the load deflection curve of
the Ferro-cement material. The first cracking strength required to develop crack depends
upon the specific surface of reinforcement. It increases with increase in specific surface
area of reinforcement
The Ferro-cement composites first behave as linear elastic
until the first crack is appeared. After the first crack appears the multiple cracking stage
starts, number of cracks starts to form but the crack width remains constant and
propagates in the direction where the matrix starts to fail. Now the reinforcement starts to
yield and will continue till fatigue failure occurs, during this number of cracks formed are
few but the width of cracks already formed starts increasing

15 | P a g e
(Image source: https://issuu.com/irjet/docs/irjet-v4i6536)
10.3 COMPRESSION

The compression characteristics of the Ferro-cement is mainly due to high compressive

strength of cement mortar, though reinforcement also contribute in bit of compression
strength to Ferro cement but majority of it la provided by mortar. But with the increase in
the number of layers of wire mesh (volume of reinforcement) the compressive strength
Increases. Compressive strength ranges from 30 Ma to 78 MP for typical Ferro-cement
products
The loss (reduction of compression strength in Ferro- cement is mainly due to buckling of
wire mesh reinforcement and delamination (splitting of laminate in layers). This affects
can be minimized by tying the reinforcements in different layers across the depth of the
element which creates kind of triaxial confinement. Type of wire used also affects the
compressive strength of the Ferro cement: welded wire mesh provides higher strength as
compared to that off expanded or hexagonal mesh. Up-to 50 60% of the ultimate
compression strength Ferro-cement behaves linearly, the behaviour becomes nonlinear
beyond this limit

16 | P a g e
10.4 LIQUID RETAINING CAPACITY

Ferro-cement has got wide application in retaining water like in liquid storage tanks.
Leakage starts in the tank made up of Ferro-cement after the first cracking has occurred.
The leakage increases in the cracked reinforcement as average crack width increases and
with decrease in the wall thickness. With increase in the volume or specific surface area of
the wire mesh the leakage decreases as the crack width and number of cracks formed
decreases. The crack widths formed in Ferro-cement are much smaller in size as compared
to those formed in normal reinforced concrete as a result of it the leakage occurring in
Ferro-cement is comparatively less

10.5 FIRE RESISTANCE

Fire resistance can be defined as the ability of structural elements to resist fire severity,
materials of the element geometry etc are the factors on which resistance of concrete
elements depend on. Based on various studies carried on Ferro-cement by different
researchers on its fire resistance capability different results were obtained. Most of the

17 | P a g e
scholars agreed on that by providing a Ferro-cement jacket on reinforced structures their
resistance to fire increased. This property of Ferro-cement was due to its specific heat
capacity which was slightly higher than those of concrete cover and thus it can absorb
more heat as compared to that of concrete cover. Structure members are weakened when
exposed to high temperatures causing the structures to collapse. it was found from the
studies that by using thin layer of Ferro-cement as jacketing to the reinforced members the
surface spalling reduced due to reinforcing wire mesh. Increase in wire mesh content in
Ferro-cement significantly improved flexural and toughness under normal conditions,
after fire exposure the wire mesh content had no longer significance on the two
mechanical properties. Moreover, by increasing the wire mesh content the insulation
property becomes poorer which is basically due to decrease in specific heat capacity of
Ferro-cement. On the other hand, increasing the mortar covering resulted in improved
insulation performance. Ferro-cement behaviour under fire is still in its formative years a
greater number of experiments is needed to be carried out before concluding properties of
Ferro-cement relating resistance to fire.

10.6 IMPACT RESISTANCE

Amount of energy absorbed during impact loading is referred as resistance from impact.
Due to its higher ability of absorbing impact energy Ferro-cement is very adequate to
resist the impact as compared to that of conventional reinforced concrete. The reason for
high impact energy of Ferro cement is due to high specific surface area and large volume
reinforcement in it with addition of fly-ash and silica fume to the matrix energy absorbing
capacity due to impact increases. Thickness of Ferro-cement also affects the impact
resistance.

11. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

11.1 ADVANTAGES

• Given a large impact or point load, shell will deform and resulting in cracks, however
structure will remain intact.
• Less use of cement and steel for any given section compared with RCC

18 | P a g e
• Reduction in self weight.
• Reduction in cost compared to RCC
• Requires only semi-skilled labour
• Requires neither scaffolding, shuttering, concrete mixer or vibrator
• High degree of permeability and resistance to Cracking
• Economical compared to components built with steel, concrete.

11.2 LIMITATIONS

• The common causes of failure of ferrocement are steel corrosion and incomplete mortar
penetration.
• The need of a casting space and working area to prefabricate the elements.
• The need for a properly applied curing method
• If the elements are not manufactured on the site transportation may add to the cost.

12. CASE STUDY ON FERROCEMENT STRUCTURE

12.1 THE RAMAKRISHNA TEMPLE AT PUNE IN INDIA

Complex geometrical shapes:

The temple has been conceived with a series of 24 domes of varying sizes and shapes
with largest being about 8 m dia and 18 m high and smallest one of 2.2 m dia and 1.8 m
high. The bigger dome is made up of about 128 individual petals of different shapes and
sizes of about 4 m2 area each. These are precast and then erected & assembled (8 petals
at each level) into in-situ ferrocement ribs.

Other domes are made up of pieces varying from 4 pieces per dome to 50 pieces per
dome.

The mortar for this high performance ferrocement has been designed after a series of tests
using different cements, fly ash, micro-silica, fibres and superplasticizers. The mortar is
virtually impermeable and develops compressive strengths of the order of 60 N/mm2.

The advantages of precast ferrocement have been mainly the excellent compaction,

19 | P a g e
durability, very good curing and substantial saving in time. All the pre-casting was
completed well before the slabs on which the domes were to be erected. Thus as soon as
slab was cast and curing of slab was completed the erection of Shikhara was taken up.
Overall saving in time was about 8 months compared to in-situ RCC Domes. There was
also substantial saving in cost due to saving of material, formwork and reduced dead load
on substructure.

ure

Image & Data Source: http://bhedasgaonkar.com/f_rmath.asp

20 | P a g e
12.2 CONSTRUCTION OF FOLDED PLATE ROOF IN
FERROCEMENT, FOR SWAMI SAMARTH MANDIR AT HEDVI,
MAHARASHTRA

12.2.1 Methodology for construction of the structure: Precision alignment of

Main reinforcement of 8 mm radial and 4 mm lateral bars on vertical trusses in
ferrocement (at riser) followed by fixing several layers of Steel meshes of different types.

12.2.2 Special Precautions: Galvanized meshes, and high performance in situ

mortar with micro-silica, superplasticizers, fibres and polymers 

12.2.3 Reason for precautions: Heavy Rainfall and Expected long life of
Monumental structure. 

12.2.4 Other to specify: The lower structure is done in RCC beams construction.

Image & Data Source: http://bhedasgaonkar.com/f_rmath.asp

21 | P a g e
 13. CONCLUSION
This study has brought out that ferrocement is an innovative material and the ready
availability of materials and ease of construction make it suitable in developing countries
for housing, and water and food storage structures. Ferrocement is found to be a suitable
material for repairing or reshaping the defective RCC structural elements and enhancing
its performance. The applications of ferrocement are capturing almost all the fields of
civil engineering but there is a dearth of research backing and a rationale design base to
construction of ferrocement structures. As the performance of ferrocement is greatly
dependent on the characteristics of the reinforcing mesh, there is a need to determine and
specify an optimum range of properties for the mesh, such as wire spacing, wire diameter,
and the characteristics of the mesh system. This is only a review study and experimental
research on new building materials for use in ferrocement construction or combinations of
meshes and fibers are needed. The standard methods of ferrocement construction and
effect of shape due to which novel forms are generated have to be researched upon and
benefits brought out. Considering the unique features, ferrocement will no doubt be one of
the most important structural alternatives for RCC and a repair material in the future and
thus has a great potential for developing and developed countries alike.

22 | P a g e
 14. REFRENCES

1. Antonie Naaman, “Ferrocement and laminated cementitous composites”

2. Sakthivel, P.B, “Jagannathan, A Ferrocement Construction Technology and its
application”
3. S. P. SHAH, “Ferrocement in construction”
4. Ankit Batra, Sumit Ghangas, Lalit Kumar, Hardik saxena
(https://issuu.com/irjet/docs/irjet-v4i6536)
5. https://issuu.com/search?
q=Ferrocement&language=all&type=publication&sortby=relevance
6. https://issuu.com/ijsrd/docs/ijsrdv4i31648
7. https://www.anupamakundoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/booklet-exploring-
ferrocement.pdf
8. http://www.engineersbay.com/ferrocement-history-and-development/
9. http://bhedasgaonkar.com/f_rmath.asp
10. https://happho.com/ferro-cement
11. Sakthivel, P.B., Pondicherry Engineering College, Puducherry, India
“Ferrocement Construction Technology and its Applications – A Review”

23 | P a g e