The structural behaviour of HCWA ferrocement-reinforced concrete composite slabs

This study was performed with the aim to assess the structural behaviour of ferrocement-reinforced concrete composite slab system with high calcium wood ash (HCWA) high strength mortar used as the compression zone. The proposed slab system consisted of conventional reinforced concrete slab topped with a layer of high strength ferrocement composite containing various contents of HCWA by total weight of binder. A total of six numbers of one-way composite slab prototypes were subjected to four point flexural load test to ultimate failure. The main parameters of the study include serviceability moment, ultimate moment capacity, flexural stiffness in serviceability and post cracked conditions, crack width development, crack spacing and failure mode. Results of the investigation indicate a significant enhancement in the first crack load and ultimate failure load of the composite slab system with the use of HCWA in the mortar layer at cement replacement level of 2% to 8% by binder weight. In addition, the inclusion of HCWA at various replacement levels also contributed to a reduction in the magnitude of average crack width at a given flexural load.