Experimental investigation on the optimal lifting height of a self-compacting in-situ cast mud-concrete load-bearing wall segment

Abstract

Initial objective of this research is investigating the optimum lifting height of a wall segment of self-compacting in-situ cast Mud-Concrete load bearing walls. It is a novel walling technique which has been developed through series of research process in Sri Lanka. Thus, identifying the possible construction height of a Mud- Concrete wall without reducing the strength is very important when introducing a novel material to industry and popularizing the technique among public. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 400 construction workers to identify the comfortable pouring height of an in-situ cast wall segment prior to design the formwork and it was found as 1200mm height. Using the results, 1200mm x 1200mm (height x width) and 150 mm thick of Mud-Concrete wall was casted and drilled after 28 days to test the compressive strength of cored samples along four different heights of the wall. According to the results obtained, increasing the height of the Mud-Concrete wall does not reduce the compressive strength of the wall. Therefore, study concludes that, there is no height restriction in construction of a Mud-Concrete wall. However, 1200mm of comfortable lifting height is consider as the optimum lifting height of a wall segment and used the results in modular formwork fabrication.