Flexural Behaviour of Geopolymer Based Ferrocement Panels: Anusha
Flexural Behaviour of Geopolymer Based Ferrocement Panels: Anusha
284-291
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Anusha
1
Research Scholar, School of Civil Engineering REVA University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Ambily P. S2
2
Senior Scientist, Csir-structural engineering research centre Chennai India,
Bhagvan N. G3
3
SeniorPrincipal scientist Csir-structural engineering research centre Chennai India
Spoorthi S Hiremath4
4
Assistant Prof., School of Civil Engineering REVA University, Bangalore India
Abstract INTRODUCTION
Ferrocement is special form of reinforced cement concrete Portland cement is popularly used as the basic raw-material
(RCC) without coarse aggregate and reinforced with closely (as a primary binder) in concrete mixes, for all the
spaced multiple layers of mesh encapsulated in rich cement construction works. Reinforced cement concrete (RCC)
mortar. Ferrocement sections are relatively thin in structural elements of typical construction projects, consume
construction and requires comparatively less reinforcement. huge quantities of cement. Very high cement consumption for
They can be moulded into any shape and size, which may not RCC constructions not only shoots-up the economic costs of
be the case with conventional RCC elements. The the project, but also would hugely increase the ecological
construction dosen’t necessarily requires shuttering, pollution issues associated with cement production plants. In
formwork, etc. And are highly versatile material possessing a this context, engineering research projects were taken-up,
high degree of ductility, durability, strength, crack resistance across the globe, on technological development for alternative
that is greater than that of RCC structural elements. This type construction technologies (to replace popular RCC
of construction facilitates precast systems, as the ferrocement construction techniques), towards the objective of relatively
sections are not only thin, but also light weight enough for reducing the cement consumption. Prestressed structures,
ease of handling. Applications of ferrocement are numerous. precast technologies, ferrocement construction, etc., have
Since, ferrocement appears to be an economic alternative been emerged as viable engineering practices in this direction.
material, here in this research study, it is envisaged to utilise it
Ferrocement was considered as one of the construction
as primary precast roof panel elements of a proposed
technologies, by American Concrete Institute committee 549.
prefabrcicated roofing system.
Ferrocement elements are reinforced composites, those differ
Geopolymer, a novel binder, a type of inorganic polymer from normal conventional reinforced cement concrete (RCC)
synthesised from room temperature by using industrial waste elements. According to ACI committee, Ferrocement are the
or by-products as source materials to form a solid binder, is thin walled reinforced elements generally constructed of
also used as binder for complete replacement of Ordinary hydraulic cement mortar reinforced with closely spaced layers
Portland cement (OPC). The main objective of this research of continuous and relatively small sized diameter wire mesh.
work is to study the comparative flexural behaviour of precast When compared to conventional reinforced cement concrete
panels containing weld mesh and (chicken) wire mesh (RCC) elements, the ferrocement has structural advantages of,
reinforcement grill, packed / cast in both types of higher tensile strength / high modulus of rupture /
conventional OPC mortar/geopolymer mortar. The precast homogeneous properties / high resistance to punching shear
panels of cement mortar are conventionally designated as failure and impact loading/ lesser crack widths, etc.
‘FERROCEMENT PANELS’, whereas the precast panels of Ferrocement is used in many construction applications [13]
geopolymer mortar are innovatively termed as “GEO-
FERROCRETE PANELS”. The geo-ferrocrete panels were
air-cured under ambient temperature conditions and LITERATURE REVIEW
ferrocement panels were cured under water for 28 days. The
sizes of the precast roofing panels were fixed at 1000 mm According to N.P. Rajamane, the compressive strength of
geopolymeric mortar were higher in which the geopolymeric
long, 600 mm wide and 30 mm thick. Comparative flexural
materials was activated by sodium hydroxide and sodium
performance shows Ferrocement panels have good flexural
silicate solutions [1]. In Madeshwaran C. K’s research work
behavior compared with geo-ferrocrete panels.
explains about the compressive strength of GGBS and flyash
Keywords: Flyash, GGBS, Ferrocement, Roof slab, with varying percentage and varying the molarities of
Deflection, flexural test Alkaline solution and also specified that concentration of
NaoH increases strength and greater strength achieved with
100% replacement of GGBS [2]. Sreevidya. V research work
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International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 13, Number 7 (2018) pp. 284-291
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explains about the curing of geopolymer mortar specimens it Table 1 Physical properties of OPC
explains that strength gain at ambient curing conditions gaved
less strength when compared with curing at higher Physical properties OPC Cement
temperature curing conditions [3]. Standard consistency of cement 30%
Specific gravity of cement 3.14
Hago.K. studied about the service behavior of Ferrocement
roof panels with incorporating different layers of chicken Initial setting time (Minutes) 55
mesh and rectangular mesh and also explains about the Final setting time (Minutes) 215
cracking and ultimate flexural behavior of Ferrocement
specimens [4][5]. Swapnil and Aathinavi, studied about
different shaped panels in Swapnil’s research work shows the FINE AGGREGATES
results related to Ferrocement segmental elements and studied Tests were also conducted to find the specific gravity of the
about the load behavior and load bearing capacity of the fine aggregates using pycnometer as per IS 2386-1963
elements [6]. In Aathinavis research studied about the folded (Part- 3).
panels and were subjected to different loading and cost
parameters were also studied for the Ferrocement elements Table.2 Properties of fine aggregate
[7]. Amruthas research paper studied about the through Specific gravity 2.5
shaped panels with different layers of mesh and varying Fineness modulus 3.1
percentage of SBR polymers and studied about load bearing
The river sand falls under Zone Ⅱaccording to IS 383-1970
capacity and crack width studies [9]. Suresh R research work
says that Ferrocement elements are flexible and strong due to Bulk density 1647kg/m3
the even distribution of reinforcement. And studied about the
flexural behavior of panels with partial replacement of flyash
and incorporating weld mesh and chicken mesh as PREPARATION OF ALKALINE SOLUTION
reinforcement; under flexural loading it showed that The alkaline solution is prepared 24 hours before the casting.
Ferrocement were good in bending and had good crack It is prepared by mixing sodium hydroxide in liquid /pellets
resistant [8]. In Suhail H experimental research work showed form in water and after the temperature come down the
that Ferrocement elements witn double layer of mesh gaved sodium silicate solution is added to the mix before 30 minutes
good flexural strength comparedwith single layer of mesh and of casting.
geopolymer mortar had good strength compared with
Ferrocement elements [10].. In Ranjith K and Murali G
explains about the ferrocemnt elements cast cement mortar GROUND GRANULATED BLAST FURNACE SLAG
and geopolymer mortar incorporating wire mesh and AND FLY ASH
hexagonal mesh with different layers showed good flexural
behaivour and higher stiffness and ductility under loading and The fly ash is fiery debris obtained from the warm power
also had higher energy absorbent when subjected to impact plant. It is a decent pozzolano and remains either dark or grey.
loading and flexure. [13] [14]. The fly ash used in the study was obtained from Ennore
thermal power plant, Tamilnadu. Ground granulated blast
furnace slag is a hydraulic binder obtained from the blast
MATERIALS USED furnaces of iron and steel plants. The physical properties of
flyash and GGBS are studied by weighing required quantity of
The cement used for casting all experimental specimens, is the flyash and GGBS and using Vicat apparatus mould. To
ultra tech brand of OPC 53- grade. Its properties were studied determine the normal consistency, initial and final setting time
according to IS:4031(part 2)-1988. Geopolymeric materials of geopolymer mix which includes 60% of GGBS and 40%
used for producing geo-ferrocerete panels are, flyash and Flyash is taken and alkaline solution made of sodium
Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS). Flyash and hydroxide and sodium silicate is used to prepare the
GGBS were brought from Ennore power plant and steel plant, geopolymer paste. The normal consistency is started initially
respectively. The fine aggregate used was of standard size of by added 28% of solution by weight of binder and tested as
less than 4.75mm, and it is the locally available river sand. per the procedure specified by IS 4031-1988 (Part 4), until the
The distributed reinforcement consists of square weld mesh of needle penetrates to a depth of 33 to 35 mm from the top.
30mm*30mm opening and diameter of 2.5mm in both
longitudinal and transverse direction and chicken mesh of 36- Table 3 Physical properties of flyash and GGBS
gauge chicken mesh of 10mm opening were used. The
Physical properties Flyash and
preliminary studies are performed according to the IS code GGBS
recommendations.
Standard consistency of fly ash and GGBS 31.5%
Specific gravity of fly ash 1.966
PROPERTIES OF CEMENT MORTAR Specific gravity of GGBS 2.74
Initial setting time (Minutes) 40
The cement used to find the properties are Ultratech brand
cement of OPC 53 grade and the properties are studied Final setting time (Minutes) 150
according to specified IS codal provision.
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International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 13, Number 7 (2018) pp. 284-291
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INSTRUMENTATION
The slab was instrumented with single linear variable (a) (b)
differential transducer (LVDT) to measure the deflection at Fig.5(a) Testing of geo-ferrocrete panel (b) Tested
the mid-point of span. First a sand-paper is used to prepare the specimen
Geo- Single layer of weld Mesh FG-1 0.5 10.00 3.59 32.53 The Initial cracking at b0.5k N
ferrocement and double layer of chicken was observed due to the
mesh FG-2 2.68 16.80 6.31 47.28 improper cover in the FG-1
Panels (FG)
specimen
FG-3 2.01 22.44 6.25 28.52
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© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Fig.8 (a), (b), (c), (d)-Load and deflection behaviour of
ferrocement panels
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CRACKING
In both ferrocement panels and geo-ferrocrete panels the
cracking occurred around the mid span point. As the load is
gradually increased, the crack width started percolating
through ribs and many cracks were observed adjacent to the
center line crack. The cracking behavior also shows that the
maximum deflection of the panel was occurred at the mid
span.
Fig.11 (a), (b), (c), (d) Strain behavior of Ferrocement
panels
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geopolymer concrete”.
[3] Sreevidya V, Thanush Thampi, volume 3, 2017
“Strength studies of geopolymer mortar for ferrocement
geopolymer water tank”.
[4] A W Hago, K S Al Jabri, august 2004, “Ultimate and
service behaviour of Ferrocement roof slab panels”.
[5] Swapnil Somnath, Gaikwad, Abdulrashid Chand Attar,
2014 “Development of alternative roofing system by
using ferrocement channel”.
[6] S. Aathinavairavan, S.Dharmar, Volume 6 Issue 2,
February-2017. “Study on Effect of Thickness in
Behaviour of Geopolymer Ferrocement Folded Panel”.
[7] Suresh kumar R, Shanthi K, volume 11, Issue 4, 2016.
“Experimental study on ferrocement roofing units using
geopolymer composite mortar”.
[8] Amrutha mohan, Milu Mary Jacob , 2016.
“Experimental study on trough shaped Ferrocement
roofing elements with SBR polymer”.
[9] Suhail Hameed Shaikh1, DR. J. B. Dafedar2, Vol. 6,
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geopolymer Ferrocement flat panel”.
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System for Low Cost Housing”.
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System for Low Cost Housing”.
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behavior of ferrocement panels”
[14] G. Murali, volume 2, issue 1, jan-feb 2014.
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under impact loading”
[15] ACI Committee 549R 97, State-of-the-art report on
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1999. 4”.
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