Mechanical Behavior of UHPC(<i>Ultra High Performance Concrete</i>) According to Hybrid Use of Steel Fibers

Abstract

This intends to examine the flexural behavioral characteristics of hybrid UHPC using a mix of steel fibers with different lengths. Three types of fibers are adopted with fixed diameter of 0.2 mm and lengths of 13, 16.3 and 19.5 mm (aspect ratio of 65, 82 and 98, respectively). Comparative analysis of the flexural strength, load bearing capacity, deflection and toughness is performed adopting a mix use of these 3 types of steel fibers with ratio of 2% and 1.5%. The results show that the hybrid use of steel fibers improves significantly the flexural strength and flexural toughness compared to the use of a single type of fiber. When steel fibers with lengths of 16.3 mm and 19.5mm are admixed at a rate of 1% each, UHPC develops a flexural strength larger by 27% (maximum 50%) than conventional UHPC admixed with 2% of steel fiber with length of 13 mm. Moreover, flexural strength similar to that of conventional UHPC is secured when steel fibers with lengths of 16.3 mm and 19.5mm are admixed at respective rates of 0.5% and 1% (total rate of 1.5%).