EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF FLOWABLE RC BEAM USING WELDED WIRE MESH AS SHEAR REINFORCEMENT

An alternative reinforcement system, Welded wire mesh is proposed to perform the function of transverse steel in Reinforced Concrete Beams. Welded mesh reinforcement eliminates some of the detailing problems inherent in traditional rebar in the Reinforced Concrete Construction resulting in easier and faster construction, and better economy and quality control. Since the mesh size is very small and to ensure strength and homogeneity, self compacting concrete is to be used. Selfcompacting concrete consists of the same components as conventionally vibrated concrete with the addition of chemical and mineral admixtures in different proportions. In present study SCC is developed by replacing cement with silica fume of 4% and 6%. This project is to examine the flexural behavior and crack pattern of RC beam. Totally five variations of beam were caste and number of mesh layers with percentage of silica fume are varied in each specimen. It is obtained that the beam with continuous welded wire mesh and longitudinal bar given the maximum load carrying capacity and it is found that there is improvement in strength characteristics while using mesh layer and silica fume when compared with control specimen.