Flexural Behavior of Rubberized Ferrocement Beams Reinforced by GFRP and Steel Wire Rope: A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63746/njtd.v23i2.4400Keywords:
Rubberized ferrocement, GFRP reinforcement, Steel wire rope, Hybrid composite beams, Flexural behaviorAbstract
Ferrocement is widely recognized for its lightweight characteristics and high tensile efficiency; however, it faces limitations related to durability and ductility, particularly under aggressive environmental and loading conditions. This study presents a comprehensive review of the flexural behavior of rubberized ferrocement beams reinforced with hybrid Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and Steel Wire Rope (SWR), aiming to address these challenges. The methodology is based on a systematic evaluation and synthesis of recent experimental, analytical, and finite element studies, focusing on material properties, bond behavior, reinforcement mechanisms, and structural performance of rubberized and hybrid-reinforced systems. The results indicate that the incorporation of crumb rubber significantly enhances ductility, energy absorption, and crack control, although it leads to moderate reductions in compressive and flexural strength. GFRP reinforcement provides high tensile strength and corrosion resistance but exhibits relatively brittle behavior, whereas SWR contributes superior ductility and post-cracking performance. Hybrid GFRP–SWR systems demonstrate improved overall behavior by combining strength, durability, and deformation capacity. Furthermore, the findings highlight that surface treatment, bond optimization, and proper reinforcement detailing are critical factors governing structural efficiency and serviceability. Based on the reviewed literature, it is recommended that future research focus on large-scale structural validation, long-term durability under environmental and cyclic loading, advanced bond modeling at the material interface, and comprehensive life-cycle assessment. These directions are essential to support the practical implementation and code development of rubberized ferrocement systems with hybrid reinforcement.
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