Probabilistic Analysis of Ultimate Strength of Ferrocement Elements in Axial Tension

This paper reports the results of probabilistic analysis of ultimate load, P-u, of normal and lightweight ferrocement-elements under axial tension. The lightweight ferrocement element was realised by replacing the sand in cement mortar by blast furnace slag by 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. In probabilistic analysis, the diameter and ultimate tensile strength of mesh wires and the modelling error associated with the prediction equation of ultimate load are treated as random variables. From the analysis of results of probabilistic analyses it has been found that the ultimate load follows a normal distribution at 5% significance level and also the bounds (mean +/- 1.64*standard deviation) enclose the experimental scatter and hence the characteristic strength can be used for the design of ferrocement members against ultimate limit state.