Summary: | Foamcrete is fabricated by combining mortar slurry and constant foam. Owing to the
existence of air entrained in its cementitious matrix, foamcrete is tremendously brittle compared to
normal-strength concrete. The addition of synthetic and natural plant fibers demonstrates an enhance�ment to foamcrete’s mechanical performance yet exerts a harmful effect on long-term performance.
Depreciation of natural plant fibers and corrosion of synthetic fibers impact the lifespan and durability
properties of foamcrete. Hence, this study aims to investigate the mechanical properties and mode
of failures of foamcrete reinforced with fiberglass mesh (FM). The parameters assessed were the
compression, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths of 1100 kg/m3 density foamcrete confined with
various layers of 145 g/m2 of FM. The optimal foamcrete mechanical properties enhancement was
attained with three-layer jacketing. Notable augmentations of 108% in the compressive strength,
254% in flexural strength, and 349% in splitting tensile strength were achieved in comparison to the
control specimens at day 28. The control foamcrete samples under compressive, flexural, and tensile
loads encountered brittle failure in comparison to the confined foamcrete. The mode of failure under
the tensile load indicates that only a slight crack occurred at the upper side and a perpendicular mark
at the lateral section of the foamcrete with one to three layers of FM jacketing. Thus, the jacketing
system of foamcrete with FM enhances the behavior and load carrying capacity of foamcrete to the
extent of preventing the propagation of cracks
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