Ferrocement Technology

The ever increasing environmental pollution and the rise in emission levels have caused serious damage to the lives of millions and millions of people have a lion's share in contributing to this environmental degradation.  Sooner rather than later, builders, architects and designers and decision-makers in the government will be compelled to ban construction technologies which are energy intensive and that cause a significant rise in pollution levels. Here is a construction technology that is Ferrocement. It is cost effective, energy efficient and environmentally sound and more appropriate than conventional technology products.

Ferrocement is a highly versatile form of R.C.C (Reinforced cement concrete) possessing unique properties of strength and durability. It is made up of rich cement mortar and wire mesh reinforcement. This technology has proven applications in the areas of shelter. The fact that Ferrocement Technology is increasingly gaining popularity and acceptance by the people is primarily attributed to the unique features and advantage that are offered by Ferrocement over conventional building materials.

According to the definition of Ferrocement reported by ACI Committee 549, 1988, “Ferrocement is a form of reinforced concrete using closely spaced multiple layers of mesh and/or small diameter rods completely infiltrated with, or encapsulated in, mortar”. The most common type of reinforcement is steel mesh. Other materials such as selected organic, natural or synthetic fibres may be combined with metallic mesh. Ferrocement is a highly versatile form of reinforced concrete made of wire mesh, sand, water, and cement, which possesses unique qualities of strength and serviceability. It can be constructed with a minimum of skilled labour and utilizes readily available materials. It is ideal for vulnerable structures in terms of tensile strength and impact-bearing capacity.

The need for an organization like the Ferrocement Society is to promote the technology. "India is there for the popularization and amasses adoption of this eco friendly construction technology. As there is no other dedicated organization for this, a group of construction industry veterans, Government officials and professionals have started this organization. Ever since the organisation is established, there have been many milestones during its journey. One of the major ones is the recognition by Pune University to have Ferrocement construction as an elective subject for Civil Engineering degree and post graduation exams. We hope to bring the attention of the industry, government and academia to this promising technology which is capable of reducing our carbon foot print on the environment," says Mr. Jayant Patankar, Vice President of Ferrocement Society, India.

Application

Applications of Ferrocement Technology are innumerable. Some of its applications can be listed as under;

• Tanks, Containers and Silos
• Floors and Roofs
• Heavy Duty Floors Tiles
• Manhole Covers, Furniture, Security Shelters
• Wall Cupboards, Cabinets
• Anticorrosive Membrane Treatment
• Wall Panels,Ducts
• Rehabilitation of Structures
• Chemical Resistant Treatment
• Irrigation Structures       
• Marine Applications
• Elevation Treatment
• Fire Resistant Structures
• Pipes, Sewer Lines
• Bridge, Foot Bridge
• Strengthening Of RCC Structures
• Sulphate Resistant Cement Saving
• Pre-Cast Ferrocement Structures

Objectives of Ferrocement Society of India

• To promote Research, Development application and standardization in Ferrocement Technology
• To arrange seminars, conferences, symposia, workshops and congresses
• To demonstrate people, individuals regarding the advantages and/or benefits of Ferrocement
• To impart training to artist, skilled/semi skilled workers and entrepreneurs about the Ferrocement Technology and arrange to issue licensing and certification
• To interact with educational institutions and universities to promote Ferrocement technology for academic interests
• To publish bulletins, technical papers, journals, books, etc., and to disseminate information through web site and other ways of media
• To make representations, send deputations, arrange discussions with the manufacturers of Ferrocement with a view to promote, improve, maintain, and safe guard the interest of the members of the Society
• To encourage the growth of friendly relationship amongst the members and amongst the persons engaged in Ferrocement Technology and especially to encourage co-operation between members and the persons engaged in the said Technology.
• To provide information, guidance and consultation regarding activities relating to the Ferrocement Technology
• To collect, maintain and circulate the information affecting the interest of the members
• Generally to do all such other lawful acts, deeds or things as are incidental or conducive to attainment of any/or all of the above aims & objects of the Society

Ferrocement technology in India

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Ferrocement Technology is not new in India, it is already known to most engineers and architects. However it is not being considered as a serious alternative, due to various factors. Reinforced Cement Concrete is the preferred option as it is widely adopted, practiced and documented through IS codes and others standards. There are many Ferrocement service providers as in independent businesses as well as some building construction and environment friendly NGO's.

Our society envisages a ground up and multi pronged approach. He says, “Last year in the monsoons when the Uttarakhand cloud burst caused unprecedented devastation to life, property and the environment, we could see a huge potential application for Ferrocement construction in providing a lightweight, eco friendly and sustainable building option.” One of the main points rose after the Uttarakhand monsoon tragedy was the heavy nature of buildings which were not suited to the soft hilly terrain of the Himalayan region. Ferrocement can reduce the self weight of the structure itself by about 25% or even more depending upon design and other such considerations, while providing the required structural strength without compromising on safety and stability of the structure.

Ferrocement structures by virtue of their higher tensile strength, simplicity in giving any round shapes and lower self weight as compared to conventional RCC structures can better endure earth quakes, storms, winds, rain and other such natural events which can cause harm as well as  loss of life in worst case to the occupant so the buildings.

One of the major factors is the lack of the IS code of practice for Ferrocement. Our society’s objective is to draft it. Another focus is on use of Ferrocement as structural members in buildings as against elevation treatment only.

Future plans of Ferrocement Society of India

Ferrocement Society of India aims to make a difference to the urgent need of construction sector in India. Some of the important future plans of the organization:

• To bring all the Ferrocement technologists under one roof for discussions, for bringing excellence in construction technology
• To help Bureau of Indian Standards for standardization for Ferrocement Construction in India
• Promotion micro irrigation and water conservation through the use of Ferrocement technology, this has been well demonstrated by the erection of the Sakhali Bandhara near Pune
• To help the government solve the urgent problem of rural women's sanitation needs by providing cost effective, eco friendly and mass adoptable pre fabricated Ferrocement toilet units for India wide implementation. By providing the necessary inputs and making available on a mass scale the pre fabricated toilet units.
• National Convention FS-2015 is being organised on 22-23 May 2015 at Pune for which many architects, engineers are expected to attend form all the states.