This paper presents the results of an experimental program to investigate the flexural behaviour of ribbed ferrocement plates. The dimensions of all test specimens were kept constant at 1200 mm in length, 600 mm width and 100 mm thick but with different volume fraction of steel reinforcement and number of ribs. Test specimens were tested until failure under three line loadings with simply supported conditions over a span of 1100 mm. Cracking patterns, tensile and compressive strains, deformation characteristics, ductility ratio, and energy absorption properties were observed and measured at all stages of loadings. The experimental results showed that the ultimate strength, ductility ratio and energy absorption properties of the proposed ribbed plates are affected by the volume fraction and the type of reinforcement. In general the experimental results proved the effectiveness of expanded metal mesh and woven steel mesh in reinforcing the ribbed ferrocement plates. The results showed also that the developed ribbed ferrocement plates have high strength, ductility ratio and energy absorption properties and are lighter in weight, which could be useful for developed and developing countries alike.
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