Title: An experimental study on the effect of wire mesh diameter on RC beams strengthened using ferrocement under torsion

Authors: Roula Taha; Muneeb Al Allaf; Ihssan Tarsha

Addresses: Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Al Baath University, Homs, Syria ' Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Al Baath University, Homs, Syria ' Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Al Baath University, Homs, Syria

Abstract: Several scholars have noted that ferrocement is effective in improving the strength of concrete elements under flexural loading. However, its impact on torsion is not yet fully understood. Ferrocement is a reinforced concrete (RC) made of mortar with closely spaced wire mesh. The torsional behaviour of a ferrocement-wrapped beam is influenced by the properties of its mortar and the wire mesh. Torsion has a circular nature and can be well resisted by fully wrapping the beam. However, it is not always applicable, so beams may be strengthened by wrapping them on two or three sides. This paper presents an experimental study that aimed to measure the torsional strength of ferrocement-wrapped beams on two and three sides with a styrene-butadiene rubber connection (SBR). The study also aimed to assess the impact of wire mesh diameter with various volume fractions and specific cracking, twist, and strength characteristics. The study was conducted on ten RC beams, of which eight out of ten were strengthened with ferrocement. The results revealed that the 2.5 mm wire mesh diameter significantly increased the torque resistance by up to 48%. However, ferrocement that had 1 mm wire mesh showed cracking behaviour in the early stages of the load but could not enhance the ultimate torsional strength of the beam.

Keywords: ferrocement; torsion; strengthening; wire mesh; styrene-butadiene rubber; SBR; beams; crack; twist; torsional strength.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2025.149810

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2025 Vol.10 No.6, pp.542 - 556

Received: 13 Sep 2023
Accepted: 27 Dec 2023
Published online: 13 Nov 2025 *

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