Flexural Capacity of Hollow Core Ferrocement Slabs Reinforced with WWM: Experimental and Analytical Assessment | ||
Port-Said Engineering Research Journal | ||
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 17 August 2025 | ||
Document Type: Original Article | ||
DOI: 10.21608/pserj.2025.376118.1405 | ||
Author | ||
Waleed M. Nassef* | ||
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Port Said University | ||
Abstract | ||
The present paper introduces an experimental and analytical evaluation of hollow-core ferrocement slabs (HCFCS) reinforced with welded wire meshes (WWM) under three core configurations (empty, foam-filled, and PVC pipes). All the involved material properties were determined experimentally including: mortar matrix, steel meshes, and PVC pipes. Flexural behavior was assessed via three-point bending tests, with results evaluated using a section analysis approach. Key findings reveal that HCFCS reduce self-weight by 26–38% compared to solid slabs, while flexural capacity increases with additional mesh layers but remains unaffected by passive (empty/foam) cores. PVC pipe cores significantly enhance flexural strength, stiffness, and ductility relative to hollow or foam cores. The strain compatibility method effectively predicts HCFCS capacity, though it underestimates performance for PVC-cored slabs, suggesting the need for nonlinear finite element (FE) modeling to capture composite action and other probable nonlinearities. This work highlights PVC pipes as active structural components in hollow-core ferrocement slabs (HCFCS). | ||
Keywords | ||
Ferrocement; hollow core slabs; welded wire mesh; flexural capacity; PVC pipes | ||
Statistics Article View: 42 |