Ferrocement Roof Reinforced with Fiberglass

Abstract

This study aimed to produce fiberglass-reinforced ferrocement roof tiles to investigate their physical and mechanical properties. The production process involved manufacturing flat using a cement-to-sand ratio of 1:2.75 and a water-to-cement ratio (W/C) of 0.50. The fiberglass used in the research was a chopped strand mat with a density of 450 grams per square meter. The results of the study show that the average density of the 1-layer, 2-layer, and 5-layer fiberglass-reinforced ferrocement roof tiles is 2.13 × 10⁴, 2.10 × 10⁴, and 2.08 × 10⁴ kilograms per cubic meter, respectively. The average water absorption values were found to be 5.05%, 5.44%, and 5.98% for the respective layers, indicating an increase in water absorption with decreasing density. The average breaking strength values were 3.140237, 3.897697, and 4.986658 kilonewtons per meter, respectively. The water penetration testing showed no water droplets under the surface, and they met the heat resistance standards specified in the industrial product standards, namely TIS 535-2556 for concrete roof tiles. The 5-layer fiberglass-reinforced ferrocement roof tiles exhibited the highest heat resistance and strength compared to the 1-layer and 2-layer fiberglass-reinforced tiles. These findings indicate that fiberglass-reinforced ferrocement, which incorporates composite polymer (FRP) materials, significantly impacts the strength of the material, enabling the production of innovative roofing options as a practical alternative for the construction industry.