FERROCEMENT BOX SECTIONS-VIABLE OPTION FOR FLOORS AND ROOF OF MULTI-STOREYED BUILDINGS

A 5m * 9m size interior panel of a framed structure has been designed as beam-slab construction, flat slab construction and using ferrocement box sections for 5 kN/m2 live load. The self-weight, floor/ roof height and cost of these options have been compared. It is found that the flat slab option is comparable in weight to the beam-slab option, about 58.2% less in floor height and 17.7% costlier than the conventional beam and slab construction. The ferrocement box section alternative is found to be 56.2% less in weight, comparable in floor height and 15.6% cheaper than the beam slab construction. The ferrocement box sections being light in weight need less strong supporting structures. Being a precast product, they also increase speed of construction and can be used in bad weather conditions.