Investigation of ferrocement channels using experimental and finite element analysis

It is necessary to design and calculate tensile reinforcement for ferrocement channels with various spans used in different structures such as rural houses and mosques. However, such analysis is challenging due to the application of different types of wire meshes, dissimilar tensile and compressive reinforcement, and mechanical properties of the mortar. The present study provided an experimental sample to assess deflection in a standard ferrocement channel (span: 4.5 m; width: 70 cm). The Abaqus Unified finite element analysis (FEA) has been also used to model the ferrocement channel by various system supports and beam spans. The obtained results indicated the acceptable accuracy of FE simulations in the estimation of experimental values. Such models can thus be used as quick, simple, and inexpensive methods to calculate the optimal deflection of ferrocement channels for various spans and sizes of tensile reinforcement.