REVIEW OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DURABILITY OF FERROCEMENT

This article surveys the research literature on the durability of ferrocement and attempts to explain the relative corrosion immunity of ferrocement compared with reinforced concrete. Durability of reinforced concrete is primarily defined in terms of permeability; the author proposes a list of factors which affect the durability of reinforced concrete: (1) influence of hydroxyl ion using different cement types; (2) influence of hydroxyl ion due to different cement contents; (3) incidence of capillary voids at different water to cement ratios; (4) effect of compaction intensity in permeability; (5) influence of curing cycles on permeability; (6) effect of silica fume on void filling; (7) effect of tricalcium aluminate content; (8) polymer additions to concrete; (9) effect of surface coatings; (10) cathodization; (11) temperature effects; (12) protective coatings on reinforcing. An examination of 2 ferrocement experimental plates (2 mm plain ht wire with 3 mm cover and 2.5 ht galvanized wire with 3-4 mm cover) took place after a 10.4 year exposure to weather. Procedure and results are reported in detail. Conclusions suggest that: (a) corrosion attacks appear to be limited to crack zones, and (b) galvanized wire is significantly superior to plain wire in crack sites. The author surveys the evidence of long term durability of ferrocement, refers to specifications at the ACI committee s49, and concludes that it is likely that chemical and electro-chemical protection of the steel reinforcement is the dominant mechanisms. He suggests that the superior resistance of ferrocement to invading acid ions and gaseous co2 is probably due to the use of galvanized steel, fine grained well graded sands, low water cement ratios, chemical neutralization by the alkilinity of rich mortars, and to compaction. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/05490219
• Corporate Authors:

  CEMENT & CONCRETE ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

  13 WALL PLACE
  PORIRUA,   New Zealand 

  New Zealand Concrete Research Association

  Private Bag
  Porirua,   New Zealand 
• Authors:
  • Alexander, D
• Publication Date: 1989-7

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 17-21
• Serial:
  • NEW ZEALAND CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
  • Volume: 33
  • Publisher: CEMENT & CONCRETE ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND
  • ISSN: 0549-0219

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cement; Coatings; Corrosion; Cracking; Durability; Permeability; Reinforced concrete; Steel; Wire; Zinc
• ITRD Terms: 4758: Cement; 3612: Coating; 5252: Corrosion; 5211: Cracking; 5910: Durability; 5921: Permeability; 4794: Reinforced concrete; 4542: Steel; 5544: Strength (mater); 4520: Wire; 7189: Zinc
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497685
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM