BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE SLABS REINFORCED WITH WELDED WIRE MESH UNDER DIFFERENT VERTICAL LOADS

Abstract

Summary This thesis aims to study the behavior of solid slabs reinforced with welded metal mesh to develop a design approach for solid slabs reinforced with metallic welded mesh with variable types of loads and continuity of slab edges. To accomplish this objective, eight groups with twenty-four simple and continuous specimens’ tests were conducted, comprising concentrated, line, and uniform static load for one-way and two-way solid slab and for one-way continuous solid slabs. This research was designed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of employing small welded metal meshes in the construction of structural slabs as low cost and effective structural material. The experimental data were used for validation of the finite element models that were developed using the ABAQUS software package. The validated models were used as part of a comprehensive parametric study to investigate the effects of a number of design parameters including the effects of material strength, reinforcement geometry and arrangement, and the influence of the load type.