Distribution of coarse aggregate and steel fibers in ultra-high performance concrete containing coarse aggregate (UHPC-CA) and their effect on the flexural performance

Abstract

The addition of coarse aggregate in ultra-high performance concrete offers several benefits, including the reduction of self-shrinkage, cost reduction, and increased modulus of elasticity. However, it also affects the dispersion space of steel fibers, resulting in a combined effect that both enhances and limits their respective advantages. An image method was used to describe the dispersion of steel fibers and coarse aggregate in the specimens along their length, width and height directions, respectively. The impact of dispersion of steel fibers and coarse aggregate on bending performance was investigated by four-point bending tests using various surfaces as the bottom tensile zone. Furthermore, the damage occurrence mode and crack development process are discussed using micro-morphology and cross-sectional graphs. The results show that the combined effect of steel fibers and coarse aggregate is not conducive to dispersion in the length direction but prevents settling due to gravity during vibration. Differences in bending properties among various surfaces in the bottom tension zone was significant, but the synergy between steel fibers and coarse aggregate reduced these differences by 1.5–2.4 times. Steel fibers in ultra-high performance concrete containing coarse aggregate act as crack arrestors, resulting in ductile damage. Cracks develop partly through the coarse aggregate and partly along the interface transition zone, indicating that the addition of coarse aggregate does not compromise flexural strength.