What is a Ferrocement

Tank?
US Peace Corps
Aquinas University

Through the funding of:

Kalahi CIDSS
 Ferrocement
 Ferro (with iron) – cement (concrete)
 NOT a special type of concrete
 Sometimes called thin-wall concrete
 Has been used in construction since Roman
times for many different things.
 Concrete
 Oldest recorded use in 5600 BC in Serbia
 Rediscovered by British Engineer John Smeaton
in 1756
 Portland cement was invented in 1842 in Britain
 High Compressive Strength (10 to 40 MPa)
 Low Tensile Strength (~10% of Comp.
Strength)
 Steel
 Most recycled material on earth
 Originally developed from iron ore in the 1600s

 High Tensile Strength (250 MPa)

 High Compressive Strength(250 MPa)
 EXPEN$IVE
 Requires skilled labor (welder)
 Ferrocement Principles
 Circles are the most efficient shape for storing fluids
 Equal distribution
of hydraulic
pressure on tank
walls
 Concrete only
keeps the tank
from falling over
 Ferrocement Principles
Water
pressure
inside tank
Wrapped Steel Wire

Thin Concrete
Shell (1”-3”)

Compression
in concrete

Tension in
steel wires
3000 Liter Tank
9000 Liter Tank