Behavior of Customary Jack-Arch Slabs in South of Iraq

Abstract

Jack arch slabs are brickwork arches supported by steel beams. Jack arch slabs have long been used extensively to floor and roof houses in Iraq especially in the middle and south. Due to their easy construction together with low cost, the jack-arch slab is still widely used in Iraq and many countries. Static tests were conducted to determine the effect of span width and camber configuration on mechanical properties of brickwork arch specimens. The relative weakness of this type of flooring highlighted the need for developing appropriate retrofitting schemes. Strengthening jack arch by ferrocement layer has been introduced. The strength, load –displacement relationship and failure modes of jack arch specimens were presented. The test results indicated that the composite action between jack arch slab and ferrocement layer highly improved flexural strength, stiffness and ductility without considerably increases the weight of the slab.