A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1992

A theoretical and experimental study was conducted to determine the flexural behavior of ferrocement-prestressed concrete composite beams. The theoretical model was tested by comparing theoretical values of the moment-curvature curve, load-deflection curve, camber, prestress loss, cracking moment and ultimate moment capacity with experimental results obtained from both ordinary prestressed concrete beams and ferrocement-prestressed concrete composite beams. The experimental test was conducted on three ordinary beams and six composite beams with the number of layers of wire mesh as the only varying parameter. The seismic resistance of the composite was also evaluated by compaiing its energy absorption capacity and stiffness degradation properties with that of ordinary prestressed beams. Results indicated that the theoretical model can well predict the flexural behavior and strength of the composite beams as well as the ordinary beams and that full composite action was attained up to failure. Results also showed that the increase in the number of layers of wire mesh in the ferrocement shell increases the strength and stiffness of the composite beams and a better cracking pattern can be observed. Furthe1more, tests showed that better seismic resistance is exhibited by the composite beams compared to ordinaiy beams.