International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -0056 Volume: 04 Issue: 06 | June -2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 5.181 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1592 A Review study of Application of Ferro-Cement Ankit Batra 1 , Sumit Ghangas 2 , Lalit Kumar 3 ,Hardik Saxena 4 1234 Assistant Professor, Amity University Gurgaon ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract – Ferro cement is one the advancement that is happening in the field of civil engineering. It has low self- weighted, and thus gives fewer loads on to the structures. In this paper, we have studied different properties of the Ferrocement like tensile behavior, cracking, compression, fire resistance and impact Resistance. Based on Tests performed, various applications and its benefits over normal cement will be identified. Key Words: Ferrocement, cement, tensile behaviour, Material, Sustainable Development. 1. INTRODUCTION Reinforced concrete is the most widely used construction material in present age. Ferro-cement can be considered as the origin and the first application of reinforced concrete. Ferro-cement also called as Ferrocement was invented by a Frenchman, Joseph Louis in 1848. Basically at that time Joseph wanted to create urns, cisterns and planters without the expense of kiln firing. Ferro-cement relates to type of thin reinforced concrete consisting of large amount of small diameter wire meshes distributed uniformly throughout the cross section and cement mortar. Ferro-cement is a highly versatile form of reinforced concrete possessing unique qualities of serviceability and strength which cannot be matched with any other thin construction material. Though being the oldest and first of its kind use of Ferro-cement was limited and not widely accepted. One of the reasons it was not adopted widely was that the production technology which was available at that time (19th century) was not efficient to produce small diameter wires and meshes. There production was more expensive as compared to large diameter iron rods and thus a setback was created. During world war reinforced concrete was used to manufacture boats due to shortage of materials, particularly steel. As the amount (volume) of steel required in Ferro-cement is more as compared to reinforced concrete and as a result its use was completely forgotten. During ͳ94Ͳ’s a known Italian architect Luigi Nervi revived the original concept of Ferro- cement, he found out components of Ferro-cement produced material which have approximately homogeneous mechanical properties and high resistance to impact. And with time the durability and serviceability of Ferro-cement ascertained and finally started achieving acceptance. 2. COMPONENTS OF FERRO-CEMENT Ferro-cement primarily consists of cement, sand, wire meshes and various admixtures. The main difference between reinforced concrete and Ferro-cement is the scale. Reinforced concrete uses larger size reinforcing bar as compared to wire/meshes in Ferro-cement. Reinforced concrete consists less volume of the metallic part as compared to that of the Ferro-cement. It does not contain large size aggregate as used in reinforced concrete only cement mortar is used. Sometimes depending on the requirement Ferro-cement may consists of large size bars along with wire mesh. The number of layers of wire mesh to be provided depends on the applications for which it is going to be used. Typical cross sections of Ferro-cement are shown in (fig. 1) 2.1 Mortar Composition Portland cement is generally used in Ferro-cement. But the type of cement to be selected should depend on its application where to be used and in which environment to be used. The sand to cement ratio is usually in the range of 1 to 2.5 by weight. And water to cement ratio is in the range of 0.4 to 0.6 by weight. In order to enhance the properties of cement in wet and hardened state fly-ash, slag and silica fume should be used. These minerals will also act as fine filler material. Well graded sand from salt free source should be used. In order to make sand penetrate in the reinforcement mesh the maximum size of the sand particle should be one third of the opening of the mesh. I Fig. 1: Typical cross sections of Ferro-cement