International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Behavior of Steel Frame with and without Horizontally Folded Ferrocement Panel with Window Opening Under In-Plane Lateral Load G Ravitej1, Srinivasrao Kulkarni2, Dr. N Jayaramappa3 1
PG(M.Tech) Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, UVCE, Bengaluru Research Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Tumkur. 3 Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, UVCE, Bengaluru, Karnataka ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------2
Abstract - Bare steel frames exhibit low lateral stiffness and
Steel frames are widely used in modern construction due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, flexibility in architectural designs and speed of construction. If only bare steel frame is considered it exhibits low lateral stiffness making them vulnerable to lateral loads like seismic loads and wind loads. To overcome this aspect masonry infill walls, concrete infills are used which add more dead load compared to Ferro cement infill wall panels.
experience large displacements under lateral loads. This experimental study examines the effectiveness of horizontally folded ferrocement panels with window openings as infills for improving the lateral performance of steel frames. Scaleddown, single-bay two-storey steel frame specimens, including a bare frame and a frame infilled with horizontally folded ferrocement panels, were subjected to in-plane lateral loading. The ferrocement panels were cast using thin cement mortar reinforced with chicken mesh and mild steel skeletal reinforcement, with window openings provided to represent practical conditions. Lateral displacements were measured at each storey level. The results show that frames infilled with horizontally folded ferrocement panels exhibit significantly higher stiffness and load-carrying capacity with reduced storey displacements compared to bare frames. The folded configuration improves load distribution and deformation control, demonstrating that horizontally folded ferrocement panels are an efficient and lightweight infill solution for steel frame structures under lateral loads.
In recent years, folded plate structures have gained more attention due to their inherent stiffness and ability to span longer distances with less material consumption. The presence of windows and doors is unavoidable in residential and commercial buildings which influences stress distribution, cracking pattern and overall lateral performance of walls. This study aims to experimentally investigate the behaviour of steel frames with and without horizontally folded ferrocement panels with window openings when subjected to lateral load.
Keywords: Steel frames; Ferrocement infill; horizontally folded panels; Window openings; Lateral loading; Story displacement
2. MATERIALS AND MIX PROPORTIONS
1. INTRODUCTION
For this experimental investigation Ordinary Portland Cement (43 Grade), M-sand as fine aggregate, fly ash, GGBS, mild steel reinforcement bars, chicken mesh, super plasticizer, potable water was used. The cementitious materials were selected to ensure adequate strength, workability, and durability of the ferrocement panels.
2.1 Materials
Ferrocement is a versatile building material which is made up with the blending of cement mortar, wire mesh and steel reinforcement to create thin, strong curved structures like boats, roofs, and tanks. It can be used in various construction like building construction, pipes, irrigation purposes, sanitation. There is no need of high skilled labours. Ferrocement offers high flexibility for complex shapes while using less cement and steel. As its thickness generally range from 25mm to 50mm it is lightweight and offers high tensile strength, flexural capacity, impact resistance and is durable enough to resist cracks and corrosion when compared to standard concrete.
Mild steel bars od 6mm were used as skeletal reinforcement while chicken mesh of 0.4mm wire diameter were used as primary reinforcement due to its high surface area and effective crack control. To improve workability of mortar superplasticizers were used.
2.2 Mix Proportions A mortar mix proportion of 1:3.3 (cementitious material to fine aggregate) was adopted. Cement was partially replaced with Fly Ash, and GGBS.
The ACI committee defines ferrocement as “a composite structural material comprising thin sections consisting of cement mortar reinforced by a number of closely spaced layers of steel wire mesh”.
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