Compressive Strength of Lightweight Concrete Block Prism Strengthened with Ferrocement and Expanded Metal

Abstract

This research article presents the compressive strength of lightweight concrete block prism strengthened with ferrocement and expanded metal for improving the lateral strength due to earthquake load.  The expanded metal No.22, No.23 XS31, XS32 with 4 types of different specific surface of reinforcement and 1 type of the square wire mesh were employed.  Two types of the connection methods between the mesh and the prism were compared, i.e., a) screw and b) bolt-nut.  The preparation of specimens and the method of test were conducted according to the standard test method for compressive strength of masonry prisms. It was found that the compressive strength of prism strengthened with expanded metal was 56% greater than that of the square wire mesh when they were compared with the same specific surface of reinforcement.  This is due to the tensile strength of expanded metal is higher than that of the square wire mesh.  For the effect of connection method, the bolt-nut method provided the greater compressive strength than that of the screw method due to the loosen and ejection of the screw.  Therefore, the bolt-nut method of connection enhances the efficiency of the concrete block prism strength which is better than the screw method.