Recent Ferrocement Construction Technology in Sustainable Construction | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

It is a composite structural material comprising thin sections consisting of cement mortar reinforced by a number of closely spaced layers of steel wire mesh. Application of Ferrocement in construction industry is large due to the low self-weight, No need of more skilled labor, no need of formwork. Ferrocement is generally used repairing, strengthening and retrofitting of the structures. Ferrocement was firstly developed and used by Italian architecture, P. L. Nervi in 1940. Different type of meshes is used in Ferrocement such as, Hexagonal wire mesh, Welded wire mesh, Woven wire mesh, expanded metal mesh, and three dimensional meshes. The desired shape may be built from a multi-layered construction of chicken wire, and if needed reinforced with steel wire or steel bars. Over this finished framework, an appropriate mixture of cement, sand and water is spread out. During hardening, the Ferrocement is kept moist, to ensure the cement is able to set and harden. Quantity requirement of Ferrocement in building construction is much less as compared to R.C.C. Therefore dead load of Ferro-cement building is reduced by at least 50. Consequently the foundation cost gets reduced. Ferro-cement is sustainable construction material. The comparison of Cost-time for material used in construction industry in each material showed that the material which includes Construction method, new techniques, installation process is the most suitable alternative to the existing traditional method like reinforced cement concrete.