Structural behavior of ferrocement load bearing wall panels

An experimental investigation was carried out on sandwich wall panels consisting of lightweight polyethylene as the core material and ferrocement material for the facings and ribs. The major parameters of the study were: amount of wire mesh reinforcement; the presence of skeletal steel; and the number of cores. The experimental results showed that all panels have failed by crushing of the mortar near the bottom ends where the eccentric loading was applied. The wire mesh reinforcement had kept the integrity of the mortar up till failure. The study showed that the presence of skeletal steel and the wire mesh layers had reduced the ultimate load capacity and ductility of the wall panel. Excessive wire mesh reinforcement resulted in delamination and buckling of the reinforcement.