Effect of Fibres on Foamed Mortar–Ferrocement Slab

Ferrocement is a versatile and lightweight composite material widely used in modern construction due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, crack resistance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The present study investigates the effect of steel fibre, glass fibre, and basalt fibre on the mechanical properties of foamed mortar ferrocement slabs. Mortar cubes (70.6 mm × 70.6 mm × 70.6 mm) and ferrocement slabs (500 mm × 500 mm × 25 mm) were cast with OPC 53 grade cement, manufactured sand (M-sand), a foaming agent, and varying fibre contents of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0% by weight. Compressive strength tests were carried out at 7 days and 28 days, and flexural behaviour was evaluated through three-point bending also in 7 & 28 days. The experimental results indicate that steel fibre exhibited the highest compressive and flexural strength enhancement, followed by basalt and glass fibres. A fixed 0.5% foaming agent yielded the optimum lightweight-to-strength ratio. Finite element analysis (FEA) performed in ANSYS closely validated experimental outcomes with variations below 10%, confirming the reliability of the numerical models. The study concludes that fibre-reinforced foamed mortar ferrocement slabs are viable lightweight and economical construction materials with improved structural performance.