UNDERSTANDING FERROCEMENT CONSTRUCTION
By VITA Volunteer J.P. Hartog
I. INTRODUCTION
BASIC THEORY OF FERROCEMENT CONSTRUCTION
Ferrocement is a building material composed of
layer of concrete covering a steel reinforcing a relatively thin
material such as
wire mesh. Since these materials are widely
available and are
relatively low in cost, and since the building
simple enough to be done by unskilled labor, techniques are
ferrocement
attractive type of construction for many developing is an
Sand, cement, and water can be obtained locally, countries.
the reinforcing material (steel rods, mesh, pipe,and the cost of
or expanded metal) can be kept to a minimum. There chicken wire,
the complicated formwork of reinforced concrete is no need for
construction, or
welding which is done in steel construction. Virtually
can be done by hand, and no expensive machinery everything
is needed.
Ferrocement can be shaped to any form. It can
sections less than an inch (2.5 cm) thick, and be formed into
assembled over a
light framework. It is lightweight, but very
dense. It is also
rot- and vermin-proof, impervious to worms and
borers, and water
tight.
Ferrocement is more versatile than reinforced concrete
formed into simple or compound curves. Reinforced and can be
struction is cast in sections, and needs extensive concrete con
and very solid
formwork to support the weight of the cement.
And ferrocment is almost always economically
steel, wood, or glass-fiber reinforced plastic competitive with
(FRP) construction
in developing countries, as steel and FRP are expensive,
and wood
is becoming more and more scarce.
APPLICATIONS
Ferrocement's low cost, its weight-to-strength
ratio, and oter
features make it useful in a wide range of applications,
ing boats, buildings, and food and water storage inclJ
containers.
its final cured stage, ferrocement is somewhat
flexible, and
be bent or flexed slightly without developing cracks.
can be used in compound-curved structures such Ferroce-e 7
as domes, roc:;.
ship hulls, etc. Compound curvature adds to the
strength, sti.1.
