Static and impact mechanical properties of ferrocement slabs produced from green mortar

Ferrocement is a common type of reinforced mortar that can be produced in sections of relatively small thickness. The production of ferrocement as a sustainable building material with good mechanical properties has resulted in many advantages like; saving cement, reducing the consumption of raw materials, reducing the agglomeration of waste materials, and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, this research has focused on the production of sustainable (green) ferrocement slabs. The experimental work was divided into three main phases; the use of supplementary cementitious materials (metakaolin (MK) and slag (GBS)) as a partial replacement of cement was in the first phase. In the second phase, the limestone powder (LSP) was used as a partial substitute of sand by 20% and 30% in the mixes (M5 and M10) that gave the best performance. Moreover, the recycled steel fibers (RSF) were used by 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9% for reinforcing the best mix (MS4) obtained in this phase. The last phase has involved the production of ferrocement slabs and testing their properties. The results indicated that using MK, GBS, and LSP gave a good performance of mortar. The ferrocement slabs reinforced with steel wire welded mesh with a diameter "3 mm" showed an increase in modulus of rupture by 75% compared to slabs reinforced with that mesh of diameter "2 mm" and fibers ratio of 0.6%. The slabs reinforced with steel wire welded mesh with a diameter "2 mm" and fibers showed an increase in impact resistance of 18% compared with the slabs reinforced with that mesh of diameter "3 mm".