The effects of precycling on the strength of ferrocement

Abstract

Ferrocement is a composite material made up of cement mortar reinforced with a mesh of steel wire. Its non-homogeneity results in material characteristics which are peculiarly its own. In this study, the ferrocement specimens tested varied in the type of wire reinforcement used, as well as in the water content of the mortar. Stress versus cycles to failure curves were developed, and comparisons were made between the curves of different types of specimens. Bending and tensile strength tests were conducted after cyclic loading in order to gain insights on the effects of precycling. Finally, some comparisons were made which related the data from this thesis to that of several preceding studies.