Shear Behavior of RC T-Beams Strengthened with Ferro Cement

This study explores in detail the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams that were strengthened using ferrocement jackets, proposed as a practical and cost-effective alternative to the widely used fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). In total, eleven beams were carefully prepared and tested under a four-point bending setup. The experimental program considered several key influencing parameters, including the span-to-depth ratio, the compressive strength of the concrete, the number of ferrocement layers applied, and the type of wire mesh used, namely square mesh and expanded mesh. The test results revealed that strengthening with ferrocement produced a remarkable enhancement in shear capacity while also delaying the initiation and propagation of diagonal cracking. When compared with the control specimen, the strengthened beams recorded significant gains in ultimate load capacity, ranging between approximately 12% and 51%. Beams made with higher-strength concrete and smaller span-to-depth ratios exhibited the best performance. Furthermore, two-layer ferrocement jackets enhanced stiffness and ductility more effectively than single layers, while expanded mesh consistently outperformed square mesh. Overall, the findings confirm that ferrocement is an efficient, economical, and practical strengthening method for RC T-beams, especially valuable in developing regions.