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Evolution in Ferrocement and Thin Reinforced Cementitious Composites

  • Research Article - Civil Engineering
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Abstract

Following a brief history and definition, this paper focuses on the evolution, mostly over the past five decades, of ferrocement and thin cement-based composites which are defined here as having less than about 50 mm in thickness. Although conventional reinforcements for these products are steel wire meshes or metal lath, new forms of reinforcements have emerged over the years with the objective of improving performance and minimizing total product cost. They include: (1) fiber reinforced polymeric (FRP) reinforcements (or textiles or fabrics) which use high performance fibers, such as carbon, Kevlar, Spectra and the like, (2) new steel unidirectional reinforcing mats made with extremely high strengths wires or strands, (3) 3D textiles or fabrics using polymeric fibers, (4) 3D textiles using combination of polymeric fibers and steel, and (5) reinforcement using shape-memory materials to induce self-stressing. Over the same period, the cement matrix has evolved enormously in its compressive strength and durability properties in the hardened state, and flow ability and ease of casting in the fresh state leading to new qualifications such as high strength or high performance, ultra high strength or ultra high performance, self-consolidating and self-compacting, etc. Adding fibers or micro-fibers to the cement matrix of ferrocement adds another dimension to the resulting composite as well as potential for improved performance. After describing the limits so far achieved using the above materials, the paper presents the current challenges and sets the limits to exceed in future developments.

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  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 49109-2125, USA

    A. E. Naaman

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Naaman, A.E. Evolution in Ferrocement and Thin Reinforced Cementitious Composites. Arab J Sci Eng 37, 421–441 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-012-0187-4

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