Development of Mixed Ferro-Cement with Rubber Latex as Ditch Lining for Farm Irrigation System

Abstract

This research studied physical and mechanical properties of a ferrocement material or a mortar mixed with rubber latex. Experiments were first performed in a laboratory to test the properties in terms of the normal consistency of cement, setting time of cement paste, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and seepage loss of mortar mixed with rubber latex. Polymer to cement (P/C) ratio was varied at 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight. Water to cement ratio (w/c) was fixed at 0.50; the ratio of cement to sand was fixed at 1:2. The strength of the structure was tested after 7, 14, 28, 60, and 90 days. The results indicated that the P/C ratio of 1% yielded the best performance, with compressive strength of 397 ksc, tensile strength of 39 ksc, flexural strength of 65 ksc, water absorption of 4.36% and seepage loss of 1.39 mm/day. P/C ratio of 1% by weight was then adopted for the construction of ferrocement ditches in the field. An in-situ ferrocement trapezoidal ditch with a bottom width of 0.3 m, height of 0.35 m, and thickness of 0.05 m was constructed in a paddy field. Evaluation of the ferrocement ditches revealed that the ditches allowed water to flow rapidly and could reduce the loss of water due to seepage.