Flexural behaviour of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete at high strain rates

Abstract

In this study, the flexural resistance of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRCs) containing different fiber volume content, under static and dynamic flexural loading was investigated. Thirty-six specimens of UHPFRCs, size 0.5x0.5x210 (mm), reinforced with 0.5%, and 1.5% volume of smooth steel fiber (d=0.2 mm, l=19 mm) were cast and tested by three-point bending test, under the static load (strain rate 1.67x10-5 s-1) and high acceleration load (strain rate up to 210 s-1). Experimental results show that the flexural strength of UHPFRCs increases significantly when the fiber reinforcement content increases. In addition, as the loading speed increases, the flexural resistance of the material also increases. The flexural strength of UHPFRC material reinforced with 0.5 and 1.5% of fiber volume content was 17.7 and 30.0 MPa at static loads, increased to 23.6 and 51.92 MPa at a loading rates of 110 s-1 and 28.86 and 61.04 MPa at loading rate of 210 s-1.