3.2. Failure mode of jacketed specimens
Fig. 5 presents a typical failure pattern of the tested ferrocement
jacketed specimens. The failure of jacketed specimens was mainly
initiated by the formation of hairline cracks in the ferrocement
mortar throughout the height of the specimens. The crack width
increases with the increase of applied load. The failure of jacketed
specimens was mainly due to the failure of wire mesh throughout
the height of the specimens. The specimens confined with single
layer mesh ferrocement shows catastrophic failure together with
the disintegration of external jacket and the concrete core. This disintegration
is more prominent in larger specimens. However, the
double layer mesh ferrocement confined specimens did not show
the disintegration of ferrocement jacket and the concrete core. Vertical
crack was observed throughout the height of the confining
jacket in these types of specimens regardless of the size of
specimens.