الفهرس 
Chapter 1: Introduction.Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
This thesis aims to study the structure behavior of light weight ferrocement I
beam with openings through the web casted with different types of materials and mesh
to be used as a viable alternative to the conventional reinforced concrete beams,
achieving low cost, easy to cast, light weight, and environmentally friendly beams
would have economic and ecological merits. The openings through the web will serve
many different techniques like electrical and mechanical ways. An experimental
program was conducted to investigate the structure behavior of these beams. In
addition, finite element models were developed to simulate the behavior of the
proposed beams.
The experimental program comprised casting and testing of sixteen reinforced
ferrocement beams with openings through the web, the beams having web with
dimensions (200 mm clear height x 40 mm thickness) and two flanges with dimensions
(200 mm width x 50 mm thickness) mm, beams length was 2000 mm. These beams are
organized in five groups. The main variables were mesh type, layers number and
number of openings.
Four types of mesh used to reinforce the light weight ferrocement I-shaped
forms were investigated; namely Welded wire steel mesh, Expanded metal mesh,
Geogrid biaxial mesh (Tensar) and two types of Polyethylene mesh.
The test specimens were tested as simple beams under four-point loading
condition on a span of (1800) mm. The performance of the test beams was recorded
and obtained in terms of bending, deflection, compressive strain, tensile strain, shear
strength, cracking behavior, ductility ratio, flexural serviceability load and energy
absorption. Load deflection charts and load strain curves were drawn for all tested
beams. The first crack load, ultimate load, serviceability load and all mechanical
properties were investigated and represented through charts. The behavior of the
developed light weight Ferrocement I beams was compared to that of the control
beams.
The experimental results showed, high first crack load, high ultimate load and
high serviceability load, better crack resistance control, high ductility ratio, and good
energy absorption properties could be achieved by using the proposed beams.
Comparison between the Recorded experimental results and the results obtained from
the finite element showed that there is a close agreement for all beams, this agreement
verified the validity of these models.
Analytical models were modified and used to suit the developed ferrocement I
beam to predict the first crack load, ultimate load and deflection values based on the
well-known principles of strength of materials, the ultimate strength and mode of
failure based on the ultimate strength theory.
The experimental, and theoretical results verified the viability of using the
developed light weight ferrocement I beam with openings through web as an
alternative to the traditional reinforced concrete beams and also steel beams. This
could be of great economic and environmental advantages for different structures
applications for both developed and developing countries.