Comparative study on the Structural Properties of Lightweight Ferrocement Beams with Different Core Materials: In case for Experimental and Numerical Results

Abstract

The main objective of this research is comparing experimental and numerical results for the structural properties of lightweight Ferrocement beams with different core materials. Additionally, look into the potential of using lightweight materials for the core with the goal of creating a system that is both ecologically friendly and has a light weight. The experimental program involved casting and testing eleven 200x100x2000mm reinforced concrete beams. These beams are divided into four groups, with about three beams in each group. In all groups, use standard formwork. The beams in this group 1 were reinforced with two steel bars of 10 mm diameter at the top and12mm diameter bottom of the beams.  The beams in the other three groups, on the other hand, were cast using Ferrocement beams. Two steel bars with a 10 mm and 12 mm diameter each were placed at the top and bottom of these beams to reinforce the core. Expanded steel mesh and welded wire mesh, two forms of steel mesh used to support ferrocement beams, were studied. We looked at single mesh and two layers made of mesh and a strip steel mesh. Light brick, foam, and lightweight concrete were the three types of core materials that were examined. The test specimens were put through a simple beam test with a three-point loading scenario across an 1800 mm span. The performance of the test beams in terms of strength, cracking behavior, ductility, and energy absorption properties was investigated. The behavior of the developed beams was compared to that of the control beams. Experimental results were then compared to analytical models using (ABAQUS/ CEA) programs. The results showed that the type of reinforcement affects the ductility ratio, ultimate strength and energy absorption properties of the beams Comparison between the experimental results and the results obtained from both the theoretical model as well as the finite element one showed that there is a close agreement for all beams. This agreement verified the validity of these models.