Impact Strength of Ferrocement Panel under Low Velocity Impact Loading

The capability to absorb energy, often called astoughness, is of importance in actual service conditions of meshreinforced composites, when they may be subjected to static,dynamic and fatigue loads. Toughness evaluated under impactloads is the impact strength. The toughness of materials aredetermined by two methods, (i) by measuring deformation underimpact load, (ii) by determining energy adsorption capacity ofmaterials under impact load. Several methods were used toinvestigate to determining toughness of materials. In this researchwork, drop weight impact test were used. The presentexperimental work describes testing of flat ferrocement panelswith different number of layer steel mesh as well as enhancementof panels with steel fiber. The main purpose of this study is toinvestigate the effect of using different number of wire mesh layeron the flexural strength and impact strength and also effect ofvarying thickness of panels on the energy absorption offerrocement panels. The experimental work includes preparationof ferrocement panels reinforced with welded square mesh, wovensquare mesh with and without hooked steel fibers The ferrocementpanels of different sizes were prepared and tested for flexuralstrength under the two point loading as well as drop weight forimpact testing. It is expected that as the mesh layers will beincreased the energy absorption capacity of the panel should beincreased and the also its effect should be seen for addition ofhooked steel fibers.