Performance of historical ferrocement specimens subjected to corrosive environments

Ferrocement is a type of thin wall-reinforced concrete composed of hydraulic cement mortar reinforced with several layers of steel wire mesh. The material is used as a low-cost construction and retrofit solution and allows the creation of very thin elements. In the past, the material was also used to build some structural engineering masterpieces that currently face preservation challenges. Despite the use of the material, few studies have analyzed its durability with respect to corrosion and its evaluation for preservation purposes. The paper presents the results of a testing campaign on ferrocement replica specimens subjected to a corrosive environment. After an aggressive aging procedure, where the specimens are exposed to chloride ingress, the specimens are tested through a four-point bending test to compare their performances. Results of the mechanical behavior are compared to the results from the half-cell potential monitoring carried out during the aging process and optical microscope acquisitions regarding the cross-sectional corrosion-loss area in the wires. The aim is to assess the performance of historical ferrocement exposed to degradation due to corrosion; this can be useful in identifying the best procedures to protect and preserve it, as well as in evaluating its performance over time.