BEHAVIOUR OF FERROCEMENT COMPOSITE COLUMN IN COMPRESSION

Abstract

Ferrocement composite columns are used for prefabrication, repair/retrofitting and for insitu columns. Encasement of column end zone can be used to produce plastic hinges for seismic retrofitting of columns. The presence of mesh reinforcement in encased columns exerts a confining pressure on the core concrete and consequently enhances it's strength and ductility. This fact has been corroborated by various investigations conducted across the globe. The purpose of this work broadly includes verification of the analytical formulations available in the literature and a study of those parameters which have not been covered before. The primary emphasis is on ascertaining the impact of core reinforcement on the overall behaviour of ferrocement encased columns. For this cylindrical specimens with varying quantities of mesh and longitudinal reinforcement were cast and tested in axial compression. Further in one of the sets of the specimens lateral reinforcement was provided in combination with mesh layers. The dissertation makes an indepth study of the compressive strength, ductility and failure modes of ferrocement composite columns. Finally, an endeavour has been made to correlate the analytical and experimental results so as to have a wholesome view of the behaviour of the ferrocement composite columns.