Precast Ferrocement Structurals in Lieu of Rolled Steel Structurals

There has been practically no change in the constituents of Ferrocement right from the day it was patented by Mr. Lambot. Ferrocement consists of cement sand mortar, wire mesh and skeletal steel. With the same system, Ferrocement is being manufactured even for the present with addition of latest in admixtures, wire mesh of different types of materials, addition of strength of mortars and fibres etc. Thus improvements in the properties and performance of Ferrocement is being effected. For wider acceptance and applications, Ferrocement has a handicap to compete with conventional materials such as Reinforced cement concrete, Prestressed Concrete and Structural Steel produced by steel rolling mills. The author has modified conventional Ferrocement by incorporation of light structural steel in ferrocement body. He has manufactured Ferrocement plates, joists, channels, angles, rectangular section and used them as equivalent to structural steel sections. This is being done since about 25 years. He is confident such Ferrocement structurals can be successfully used for larger structures such as high rise buildings, bridges, marine structures, transmission line towers etc. The performance of such structures shall be far superior.

J. A. Desai, CEO, J A Desai Ferrocements P. Ltd., Mumbai, India