As per the statistics of the Pakistan Government, approximately 1/4th of the country’s population is
living in single room house. Natural calamities like floods and earthquakes also leave thousands
homeless. There is an urgent need of research to device low cost construction techniques and develop
cheap materials in order to make available inexpensive housing to common people. The main purpose
of this study was to explore potential of ferrocement panels for quick construction in order to achieve
economical housing in the country. To fulfil the said objective, eighteen ferrocement panels reinforced
with galvanized iron mesh were tested in compression and flexure. Cost comparison of ferrocement
panels with traditional brick construction was also carried out for a small unit of 65 m2
(three marla)
area. The results of testing demonstrate that ferrocement panels are capable to take care the expected
loading in a single story house. Their high ductility and energy absorption make them favourable for the
areas which are prone to seismic activity. The material cost of ferrocement panel construction is close to
the conventional brick and mortar construction, however, a ferrocement panel house can be ready for
living in almost 1/4th of the time as compared to its brick counterpart.