Structural behaviour of ferrocement-brick composite floor slab panel

Abstract

This study introduces a semi-fabricated system for the construction of floor slab. The slab panel consists of two layers joined together using truss type shear connectors. The first layer is a precast ferrocement layer which acts initially as a formwork, while the second layer consists of bricks and mortar. Continuous truss shear connectors are used to connect the two layers. The paper experimentally investigates the structural response of ferrocement-brick composite panel under flexural load. Four full scale specimens were cast and tested under two-line loads. The study highlights the effect of shear connectors and brick layout on the overall structural response of the slab. The results in terms of load-deflection, crack pattern, strain distribution and failure loads indicate that the response of the composite slab to the flexural loading is satisfactory and can be used as a floor slab in construction sector. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.