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This research project was designed to investigate the influence of fibremesh on the durability properties of lightweight foamcrete (LFC). The fibremesh, categorized as a synthetic fibre (man-made fibre), was used for this study. It poses a continuous fibre with warp and weft structure that was used as confinement material in this investigation where four different weights per area (g/m2) of the fibremesh were observed namely, 110 g, 130 g, 145 g, and 160 g. Three experimental tests were involved in this preliminary study: porosity, water absorption, and drying shrinkage test. All the specimens were confined with 1-layer fibremesh at a constant density of 1100kg/m3 of LFC and the result was compared with the control (unconfined LFC). The 160 g/m2 of fibremesh significantly improved the physical properties of LFC where 13.8%, 20%, and 57.4% enhancement was obtained for the porosity, water absorption, and drying shrinkage result, respectively. ABSTRAK: Projek penyelidikan ini dijalankan bagi menyiasat kesan pengunaan jejaring sabut pada sifat ketahanan konkrit ringan berbusa (LFC). Jejaring sabut yang digunakan dalam kajian ini adalah jejaring gentian kaca tahan-alkali yang dikategorikan sebagai serat sintetik yang juga dikenali sebagai fabrik tekstil. Ia mempunyai serat yang panjang dan bersambung dengan struktur yang lekuk dan renda yang digunakan sebagai penambahbaikan bagi konkrit ringan berbusa. Terdapat empat berat jejaring sabut yang diuji iaitu 110 g, 130 g, 145 g, dan 160 g. Tiga jenis eksperimen bagi kajian awal ini iaitu keliangan, penyerapan air, dan pengecutan pengeringan. Semua spesimen dibalut dengan 1 lapisan jejaring sabut pada 1100kg/m3 LFC dan data yang diperoleh dibandingkan dengan spesimen yang tidak dibalut dengan gentian kaca berjejaring. Jejaring sabut 160 g/m2 meningkatkan sifat fizikal konkrit ringan berbusa di mana 13.8%, 20%, dan 57.4% peningkatan diperoleh bagi keliangan, penyerapan air, dan pengecutan pengeringan, masing-masing.

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 enhancement 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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