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The construction cost of the properties is rising day by day, along with the demand for affordable housing. One of the viable solutions to tackle this issue is the use of Ferroconcrete Technology in construction.
Ferrocement is a versatile form of reinforced concrete and has wire meshes uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section and cement mortar. It possesses unique qualities of strength and serviceability, which remain unmatched by other thin construction materials.
During the production of ferrocement, it should be ensured that there are high-level control criteria to attain appropriate encapsulation of several layers of the wire mesh reinforcement with mortar or concrete matrix.
Due to the increased amount of labor required for the construction process, ferrocement structures tend to be found in countries with low labor costs.
Ferrocement is typically used for relatively thin but strong surfaces and structures, such as shell roofs, water tanks, boats, and houses.
It is also suitable for precast structural components such as walls, floors, roofs, beams, slabs, water, and soil retaining structures, as well as repair work. It can be fabricated into any desired shape or structural configuration than standard masonry, RCC, or steel cannot.
It is a low-carbon footprint, a sustainable construction material that emits less carbon than standard reinforced concrete masonry. For developing countries with a high demand for housing, ferrocement can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional construction materials; it also conserves resources, saves energy, and protects the environment.
The modern ferrocement system for green housing has demonstrated high standards of energy efficiency in housing construction. The ferrocement technique can create extremely energy-efficient homes. It is seen that with thermal insulation installed as part of the construction panels, high levels of thermal performance are achieved, resulting in a reduction in CO2 emissions.
In developing countries where there is a high demand for housing, ferrocement can be an effective and low-cost alternative construction material. Ferrocement is long-lasting and cost-effective due to locally available materials and the availability of cheap labor in developing countries.
In conclusion, we can summarise the properties of ferrocement as the following:
Advantages of Ferrocement
It can be fabricated into any shape required.
Construction is relatively easy and low skill.
It is a lightweight material with good durability.
Energy-Efficient and sustainable.
Disadvantages of Ferrocement
Fastening with bolts, screws, nails, and such can be difficult on ferrocement.
Labor-intensive construction process.
Tying rods and mesh together is time-consuming.
Can be vulnerable to puncture from pointed objects.