FERROCEMENT APPLIED ON WATER AND SANITATION

Abstract

The use of ferrocement on water and sanitation units had its higher application on Minas Gerais State of Brazil. The structure made by FRP together welded steel fabrics constituent the reinforced of cylindrical tanks. Since 1993 these tanks were arranged to serve communities in form of Potable Water Treatment Plants (ETA in Portuguese) and Wastewater Treatment Plants (ETE in Portuguese). A financial feasibility study carried out comparing the costs of units on ferrocement and reinforced concrete in a flow rate of 12 and 24 L/s and proved the saving from 50% to 60%, showed in the paper. An ETA have a classic hydraulic concept composed by flash mixing camera, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration. Since 1998 were developed wastewater treatment plants with a reactor UASB with volume until 400 m³ for flow up around to 30 L/s with efficient of 80% of removal of organic load. The construction is showed step to step on the paper. Finally, is showed a future project of a ferrocement rain water collector in form of hyperbolic paraboloids connect into a roof of a tank to reserve this precious water. The water supply service and sewage treatment on smaller villages and municipalities can take on ferrocement a promising material.