Use of materials to lower the cost of ultra-high-performance concrete – A review

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a new type of cement-based material. It has excellent different properties such as high workability, superior mechanical properties and durability. It has been proved to be a promising material for building, structural rehabilitation and retrofitting, and bridge engineering. However, despite its many benefits, its wide applicability is hindered due to its high cost. The high cost of UHPC is mainly associated with the high cost of its constituents such as cement, silica fume (SF), quartz powder (QP), quartz sand, superplasticizer (SP), and fibers. In this review paper, the use of different materials such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), glass powder (GP), rice husk ash (RHA), limestone powder (LP), natural fine and coarse aggregate to reduce the content of cement, SF, QP, quartz sand, and SP and the corresponding decrease in the cost of UHPC have been reviewed. The total cost (USD/m3) and strength-normalized cost (USD/MPa/m3) were calculated when these materials were used in UHPC as partial/full replacement of cement/SF/QP/quartz sand. In addition, the effects of FA, GGBS, GP, RHA, LP, fine and coarse aggregate on workability, mechanical properties (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and elastic modulus), drying and autogenous shrinkage, and durability characteristics were reviewed. In the end, a future research need was summarized.