Prospects of using Prefabricated Ferrocement Jacket for Semi-Automated Strengthening of RC Column

Abstract

Ferrocement jacketing is an effective strengthening tool for RC column. The installation of ferrocement jacket is very easy; it does not require highly skilled labor to install. However, its’ installation is time consuming over the commonly used technique, like fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing. It also requires 4 weeks curing to achieve strong and dry surface. Therefore, although ferrocement jacketing is a very effective strengthening option for RC column, its’ use is not generally recommended for the existing structures. To overcome this limitation, this study presents a unique idea of pre-fabricated ferrocement jacketing system forstrengthening of RC column. It is hypothesized that pre-fabricated ferrocement jacketing system will ensure a semi-automated strengthening system where the jacket will be prepared in controlled environment (i. e. in prefabrication factory) with automated technology and then it will be installed in-place using nut-bolted connections. With the help of this semi-automated strengthening system, it will be possible to expedite strengthening activity of existing RC structures. It will also reduce the labor cost as the ferrocement jackets will be prefabricated in factory with the aid of automated construction system. Experimental results also show that theprefabricated ferrocement jacket is effective to strengthen concrete column.