Effect of wire mesh on the strength of R.C.C. beams repaired using ferrocement layers

Ferrocement, a thin element is used in building construction as well as a repair material. Here an experimental investigation on ferrocement performance for repairing of RCC beam is presented. Three set RCC beams of the same dimension (width 4″, thickness 6″ and span 5.5′) are tested up to ultimate load by one point loading system as a simply supported beam. These beams are addressed as BN-1.1, BN-1.2, BN-1.3, BN-2.1, BN-2.2, BN-2.3, BN-3.1, BN-3.2 and BS-3.3 according to their set. After testing of beams BN-1.1, BN- 1.2 and BN-1.3 are repaired by 0.5 inch ferrocement layer on three sides. The Beams BN-2.1, BN-2.2, BN-2.3 are subjected to two layers of ferrocement on the bottom of thickness 1 inch and only one layer in a two sides. And another three beams of BN-3.1, BN-3.2, BN-3.3 are surrounded by total 1 inch ferrocement layer on three sides. Then they are verified again. A comparison has been made on cracking load, ultimate load and deflection between the normal beams and repaired beams. The study also represents performance of beam sets according to their different layer by graphical representation. From this paper, we can understand that the beams of bottom two layers ferrocement overlay (repairing) give comparatively good performance