Abstract
This study describes an extensive experimental investigation of various mechanical properties of Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). The scope is to achieve high strength and ductile behaviour, hence providing optimal resistance to projectile impact. Eight different mixtures were produced and tested, three mixtures of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) and five mixtures of UHPFRC, by changing the amount and length of the steel fibres, the quantity of the superplasticizer, and the water to binder (w/b) ratio. Full stress–strain curves from compression, direct tension, and flexural tests were obtained from one batch of each mixture to examine the influence of the above parameters on the mechanical properties. The Poisson’s ratio and modulus of elasticity in compression and direct tension were measured. Additionally, a factor was determined to convert the cubic strength to cylindrical. Based on the test results, the mixture with high volume (6%) and a combination of two lengths of steel fibres (3% each), water to binder ratio of 0.16% and 6.1% of superplasticizer to binder ratio exhibited the highest strength and presented great deformability in the plastic region. A numerical simulation developed using ABAQUS was capable of capturing very well the experimental three-point bending response of the UHPFRC best-performed mixture.
Highlights
Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a new type of concrete that demonstrates high compressive strength and durability compared to conventional concrete
When steel fibres are included in the matrix, Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is formed
The scope of this paper is to present the results of an experimental investigation to optimize UHPFRC in order to achieve high strength and ductility, which are essential for resisting projectile impact
Summary
Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a new type of concrete that demonstrates high compressive strength and durability compared to conventional concrete. The direct tension test was performed in order to capture the full stress-strain curve including the plastic zone. Based on the literature review, UHPFRC designed for projectile impact loading must have high tensile and compressive strength and exhibit ductile behaviour with a plastic region. The scope of this paper is to present the results of an experimental investigation to optimize UHPFRC in order to achieve high strength and ductility, which are essential for resisting projectile impact. Eight mixtures are tested in this study to investigate the influence of the quantity of steel fibres, combination of different lengths of steel fibres, the water to binder ratio, and the superplasticizer to binder ratio on the mechanical properties of UHPFRC. The concrete damage plasticity model in ABAQUS is used for the numerical simulation of a three-point flexure test and the predictions are compared to the experimental results
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