Ultra-high Performance Concrete Specimens Research Articles

Experimental Study on Deep-Drawing Dies Made of Pre-Stressed UHPC

Deep drawing is a cost-efficient way of producing sheet metal parts in high production volumes. Prototypes and very small series are expensive due to the cost of steel-forming tools. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) tools offer a cheap and fast alternative to conventional steel-forming tools. However, the flexural and tensile strength of UHPC limits its use in complex loading situations occurring in the forming die during deep drawing. To overcome this challenge, we propose pre-stressing UHPC by using expansive UHPC in a mechanically restrained condition. An aluminum powder-based expansive agent can be used to induce a free volume increase in UHPC specimens. With push-out test specimens, the increase in strength was tested when restraining the free volume increase with a steel reinforcement. After 3 and 12 months, no notable pre-straining effect could be measured when restraining the expansion of UHPC. Nonetheless, in deep-drawing experiments, the die made of expansive UHPC in a restrained condition withstood a maximal load during deep drawing of 110 kN. Compared to the die made from UHPC only, the failure mode changed from complete fracture to surface degradation of the drawing radius after 15 strokes.

Investigation on size effects of ultra-high-performance concrete: experimental and numerical study

ABSTRACT Test specimens with smaller sizes seem to be preferable because using standard specimen sizes for ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) can lead to issues owing to the current testing equipment’s capacity limitations. Therefore, the size effect investigation of the UHPC specimens is necessary. In this paper, the UHPC mix was used to explore the size effect on the compression and flexural response of the cylinder and beam specimens, respectively. The UHPC mix was cast into various-sized cylinders and beams with diameters ranging from 50 to 150 mm and heights/widths from 50 to 150 mm, respectively. A nonlinear 3D finite element (FE) model has been created in ABAQUS software for all UHPC specimens. Additionally, validation was done using the experimental findings of this study. The findings clearly revealed that the compressive and flexural strength decreases with increasing the size of the specimen. The larger specimens revealed a slight reduction in compressive strength between 1.4% and 9.5%, while a considerable reduction was recorded in flexural strength, where the larger specimens showed reduction ratios between 19.1% and 35.6%. Furthermore, the experimental and FE findings were in satisfactory agreement and exhibited virtually identical overall trends.

Investigation on bond behavior of GFRP bar embedded in ultra-high performance polyoxymethylene fiber reinforced concrete

The combination of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and polyoxymethylene (POM) fiber reinforced ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) can create a structural system with excellent service performance and exceptional durability. Bond is a critical factor affecting the service performance of structures constructed using GFRP bars and POM fiber reinforced UHPC. Therefore, this paper investigates the bond behavior between GFRP bar and POM fiber reinforced UHPC by using a direct pull-out test. The test variables were reinforcement type, volume fraction of POM fiber, embedment length, diameter of reinforcement, thickness of concrete cover, and compressive strength of concrete. The effects of these test variables on the failure mode, bond stress-slip curve and bond strength of GFRP bar with POM fiber reinforced UHPC were discussed. The test results revealed that the volume fraction of POM fibers and the reinforcement diameter have barely effect on the bond strength. The bond strength initially increases with increasing concrete cover thickness, and then plateaus after the concrete cover thickness reaches 3.35 times the reinforcement diameter. Furthermore, a predictive model for bond strength of GFRP reinforced UHPC specimens was proposed and validated using test data from other literature. A general bond-slip constitutive model was established to accurately describe the bond-slip relationship of GFRP bar and UHPC.

Effect of industrial multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties and microstructure of ultra-high performance concrete

To enhance the safety and functionality requirements of engineering structures, carbon nanotubes are used to improve the performance of concrete. However, their high cost limits their large-scale application. In this study, industrial multi-walled carbon nanotubes (IMWCNT) were employed to ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) to achieve a balance between nanomodification and economy. The effects of different IMWCNT contents on the flowability, mechanical properties, and water resistance of UHPC were investigated. Moreover, the hydration products, microstructure, and fiber–matrix interface characteristics of UHPC specimens were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The incorporation of appropriate amounts of IMWCNTs could effectively improve the mechanical properties and crack resistance of UHPC and partly prevent the infiltration of water into the matrix. Adding 0.1 wt% IMWCNTs resulted in optimal mechanical properties, and the flexural/compressive strengths of fiberless UHPC mortar and fibrous UHPC (2 vol% steel fibers) were increased by 6.7/5.2 % and 8.5/11.3 %, respectively. Microstructural analysis of the samples showed that uniformly dispersed IMWCNTs can enhance cement hydration and bridge the cracks at the microscale and nanoscale. In addition, incorporating an appropriate amount of IMWCNTs in UHPC reduced the porosity of its fiber–matrix interface and optimized steel fiber distribution in the matrix. Cost-benefit analyses results showed that although the addition of IMWCNTs increases the manufacturing cost of fibrous UHPC, their addition in moderate amounts (0.1 wt%) does not adversely affect the economic index due to the improvement in mechanical properties.

Fracture mode classification of UHPC based on deep learning and wavelet time–frequency spectrum derived from acoustic emission waveform

Fracture mode categorization is essential in identifying the failure stage, evaluating the damage characteristics, and providing references for structural maintenance. Acoustic emission (AE), as a passive nondestructive technique, presents great potential in damage characterization of cementitious materials and structures. In this study, a convolutional neural network (CNN) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) integrated model for tensile, shear, and mixed cracking mode classification of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was proposed and verified based on AE waveform features. First, four-point bending and direct shear tests for UHPC specimens were carried out, respectively, to generate AE waveform signals corresponding to different cracking modes (tensile, shear, and mixed ones). Subsequently, the collected one-dimensional AE signals were converted into two-dimensional time–frequency spectrum by continuous wavelet transform. And an AE dataset was constructed after manual labeling based on the corresponding relationships between cracking modes and wavelet time–frequency spectra. Then, an automatic CNN-GRU automatic classification model was established using wavelet time–frequency spectrum images as input variables, where the CNN extracts spatial image features, and the GRU screens time dependencies and realizes final classification. The proposed CNN-GRU model achieves an accuracy of 96.17% for cracking mode classification of UHPC, which is superior both in computational accuracy and efficiency to lightweight CNN and AlexNet. Classification outcomes for UHPC specimen under four-point bending and direct shear tests revealed the proportion of tensile cracks progressively decreased with the increase of damage, while shear cracks exhibited the opposite trend. The percentage of mixed mode cracks maintained relatively stable throughout the failure stages. The model proposed in this study presents favorable performance to reveal the underlying damage evolution mechanism during UHPC fracture, which can also provide references for the cracking mode classification of other cementitious materials and structures.

Non-destructive AC impedance spectroscopy (ACIS) analysis to characterize the evolution of impact damage in UHPC

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) widely serves as protection material owing to superior impact resistance. Rapid and effective assessment of impact damage level is crucial for ensuring structural safety. The non-destructive AC impedance responds sensitively to impact-induced microstructural changes, providing important information for understanding the damage development mechanism. Therefore, this paper intends to investigate the feasibility of AC impedance spectroscopy (ACIS) for UHPC impact damage detection. UHPC specimens with different types and volume fractions of steel fibers were prepared, subjected to multiple repetitive low-velocity hammer impacts to induce cumulative damage, and the impedance responses were simultaneously tested in the frequency range of 10 Hz-5 MHz. Additionally, the effects of steel fiber distribution characteristics and pull-out mechanism on the conductive path and impact resistance were explained through microstructural analysis and 3D reconstructed model. The results show that ACIS exhibits a strong correlation with impact damage, where the increment of the imaginary part can be used as an effective and sensitive indicator to achieve whole-process damage assessment. Compared to straight steel fibers, hooked-end and corrugated fibers greatly enhance the impact resistance of UHPC but cause a nonlinear response in impedance due to extracted deformations and orifice complexities. These findings demonstrate the potential application of ACIS for detecting impact damage in UHPC and warrant further investigation.

Enhanced Impact Strength of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Using Steel Fiber and Polyurethane Grout Materials: A Comparative Study

This study examined the impact properties of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) mixtures with steel fiber (SF) and retrofitted with polyurethane (PU) grouting using repeated drop-weight tests. Micro-steel fiber was added to UHPC mixes from 0 to 3% Vf, and PU grouting overlays of 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm were applied. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to analyze failure modes. The results showed significant impact durability and energy absorption improvements with increased SF content and thicker PU overlays. UHPC-15PU exhibited 363% and 449% higher first crack and failure strengths than UHPC-5PU. DIC analysis confirmed the failure patterns of the U-shaped UHPC specimen under impact load conditions.

Exploring the synthesis effects of glazed hollow beads and polypropylene fibers on the strength retention of ultra-high performance concrete after fire exposure using X-Ray computed tomography

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a cementitious composite characterized by its ultra-high durability attributes and mechanical properties. It is primarily used in large-span and ultra-high-rise structures for control of deflections. However, its mechanical properties decrease significantly after exposure to fire or high temperatures, limiting its applicability. In this paper, the exceptional characteristics of glazed hollow beads (GHBs), including their lightweight, high strength, and thermal insulating properties, were utilized to develop a novel fire-resistant UHPC. UHPC specimens with varying GHB content were prepared, and the corresponding mass loss, thermal performance degradation, and compressive strength after exposure to high temperatures were evaluated. The test results demonstrate that adding GHBs can improve the fire resistance of UHPC. With 40 % (by volume) GHB addition, the resulting UHPC could retain 47 % of its original compressive strength even after exposed to 800°C. The effects of temperature on the UHPC microstructure were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed tomography. It was found that the combination of polypropylene fibers and GHBs created a release channel for vapor pressure within the concrete, thereby enhancing its high-temperature resistance. This study proposes a practical solution to enhance the high-temperature resistance of UHPC.

Utilization of construction and demolition waste in ultra-high performance concrete: Macro-micro properties and environmental impacts

To further improve the utilization of recycled fine aggregates (RFA) obtained from construction and demolition in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), this work aims to adopting the nano-silica (NS) to develop a UHPC incorporating RFA with high strength and low shrinkage. A series of experiment evaluation on the workability, compressive strength, autogenous shrinkage and resistance to chloride penetration of UHPC are conducted. The hydration products, pore structure, and microstructure of UHPC are analyzed using isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. Results indicate that the addition of RFA decreases the flowability and early compressive strength of UHPC. However, it effectively mitigates autogenous shrinkage and compensates for the later-stage strength loss. NS significantly enhances the early compressive strength and resistance to chloride penetration in UHPC containing RFA. The combined incorporation of 20 % RFA and 3 % NS leads to 65.6 % reduction in the autogenous shrinkage within 7 days, 12.1 % improvement in compressive strength and 16.5 % decrease chloride diffusion coefficient of UHPC specimens at 28 days. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of RFA and NS promote the cement hydration, reduce the porosity and further refine the pore structure, and improve the interface transition zone in UHPC. This provides valuable insights for advancing the development of environmentally sustainable which collaborative utilization of RFA and NS in the manufacture of UHPC with reducing carbon footprint.

Evaluating the impact of specimen and punch sizes on the tensile strength of UHPC through double punch testing

Many studies have shown that direct tensile tests are fraught with numerous challenges. The Double Punch Test (DPT) is considered a more reliable alternative for evaluating tensile properties among the indirect tensile methods. While DPT is efficient and reliable, its size effect should not be overlooked. Previous studies on DPT size effects have primarily focused on specimen size, with little discussion on the impact of punch size variations. Additionally, with the evolution of construction materials, the applicability of the generalized DPT formula to new materials, such as Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), with its exceptional strength, toughness, durability, and crack resistance, needs to be evaluated. This study conducts experimental research on UHPC, focusing on the relationship between specimen and punch sizes and their impact on tensile strength measurements. By designing experiments with 12 different specimen sizes and punch ratios, we explore the differences between actual experimental results and simplified formula calculations. Bažant's theoretical methods are also applied to analyze the size effects of specimen and punch dimensions on DPT. The results indicate that, with appropriate specimen size and punch ratio, DPT can provide tensile strength measurements closer to those of Direct Tensile Tests (DTT). It was also found that tensile strength, strain, and toughness decrease with increasing specimen size. When the ratio of UHPC specimen to punch size (d/D) is 1/3, the results align well with the predictions of the simplified formula. This indicates that the optimal punch ratio is not fixed for different specimen sizes. These findings offer valuable references for designing related experiments and improving quality control and structural performance in various engineering fields.

Effect of shrinkage-mitigating additive and curing condition on flexural and fracture behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) unnotched beam

The study aims to examine how the flexural and fracture behavior of UHPC is impacted when shrinkage is mitigated by adding shrinkage-mitigating additives. Furthermore, due to the consistent use of UHPC for structural repair and reinforcement throughout the year, including emergency construction in winter, it is necessary to carry out construction operations in winter conditions. Thus, this study adopts the natural cold curing condition of UHPC specimens to mimic real-world outdoor construction settings, while also using the standard curing condition as a comparison. The bending test was performed on three different types of UHPC materials: material 1 without a shrinkage-reducing agent (SRA) or expansive agent (EA), material 2 with 1 % SRA, and material 3 with 1 % SRA and 7.5 % EA. Fracture and flexural behavior of UHPC beams were studied, and Spearman's correlation between shrinkage and flexural/fracture toughness was evaluated. The study revealed that adding SRA/EA decreased the mean flexural tensile strength of specimens cured in standard conditions. Additionally, specimens cured in natural conditions showed less flexural tensile strength when SRA/EA was added. Furthermore, when compared to material 1, the addition of SRA and EA greatly reduced the fracture energy of UHPC, resulting in reductions of 21.9 % and 26.6 %, respectively, for materials 2 and 3. The fracture toughness showed a modest correlation with the shrinkage behavior, and the fracture energy exhibited a high association with the shrinkage behavior. The research findings can provide references for UHPC applications in natural winter conditions when the material contains shrinkage-mitigating additives.

Effect of fiber types on fire-induced spalling and thermal performance of UHPC circular columns

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) emerged as a promising material for modern construction, offering unparalleled strength, durability, and versatility. However, there is limited research regarding UHPC's response to fire, prompting urgent investigation and analysis. This paper presents an experimental study focused on evaluating the effect of different types of fibers on the fire performance of UHPC circular columns. The fiber types considered in this study included steel fibers (SF), a hybrid mix of steel and polypropylene fibers (SPPF), and polyvinyl alcohol fibers (PVAF). Additionally, a control column was cast without the inclusion of any fibers. All UHPC specimens were subjected to standard fire exposure, following the ASTM E119 fire test. The results indicated a substantial resistance to spalling with the incorporation of fibers. Moreover, the column featuring PVAF exhibited the lowest internal temperature readings among the columns. Columns reinforced with SF and SPPF exhibited uniform spalling on all sides.

Preparation and properties of ultra-high performance concrete incorporation multi-mineral admixtures

Abstract The impact of multi-mineral admixtures on the sturdiness of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). In this study on the premise that multi-mineral admixtures can be utilized in UHPC, we optimized the percentage of three admixtures(limestone powder,slag, and pumice powder) that can replace cement using the Box-Behken design response surface method, and prepared UHPC specimens with multi-mineral admixtures. The rationality of the multi-mineral admixtures approach proposed in this study was confirmed by characterizing the mechanical properties and porosity of the prepared specimens. Durability was also investigated through relevant tests. The results showed that the porosity of the prepared UHPC decreased by 49.4%, the mechanical properties improved by 14.7%, the self-shrinkage and drying shrinkage decreased by 9.8% and 6.2%, respectively, and the volume stability improved. Moreover the resistance to sulfate dry-wet cycling, chloride ion permeation, and carbonization improved significantly. This study, thus, demonstrates a new type of multi-mineral admixture for UHPC with excellent mechanical properties and durability.

Prediction of axial compressive stresses in ultra-high-performance concrete blocks using non-destructive ultrasonic techniques

The application of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) in civil engineering structures is growing rapidly. On the other hand, previous non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques mainly focused on determining the relationship between the acoustic characteristics and elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, cracking resistance, and strength. This study presents an experimental approach utilizing ultrasonic techniques to predict the axial compressive stresses in UHPC structures. Both cubic and prismatic UHPC blocks were designed and tested under different compressive axial loading conditions, and their ultrasonic acoustic characteristics were evaluated in detail. Normal strength concrete (NSC) blocks were also included in the investigation for comparison purposes. A detailed account of the tests results is provided, including the relationships between the compressive stresses in UHPC blocks and the typical time- and frequency-domain acoustic parameters. Based on the experimental results, an analytical working stress evaluation method for UHPC components using the ultrasonic acoustic parameters is proposed. It is shown that there is close correlation and high prediction stability between the compressive stress in UHPC blocks and the ultrasonic velocity, which is suggested as the main acoustic parameter for stress detection. The correlation between the acoustic amplitude parameters and concrete compressive stress is also shown to be significant, yet is associated with relatively low prediction stability. Moreover, in comparison with conventional NSC blocks, greater correlation and regularity ratios are observed between the typical acoustic parameters and the axial compressive stress in UHPC specimens. Overall, the analytical models proposed in this study are shown to be in close agreement with the experimental results, and can be used, in conjunction with the ultrasonic NDT techniques, to provide a reliable prediction of the level of compressive stresses in UHPC members.

A piece-wise linear model for modelling the tension-stiffening effect in steel-reinforced UHPC composites

This study examines the tensile behaviour of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) specimens reinforced with varying steel fibre content and rebar diameters. An experimental campaign involving 18 reinforced UHPC specimens was conducted, following individual tensile response characterizations of UHPC and reinforcing steel. These specimens were designed and fabricated with threaded welded steel cages to transfer loads to the central measurement area. Force–displacement curves were measured to derive stress–strain curves for the UHPC component, evaluating the impact of reinforcement rebar and steel fibre content on UHPC’s mechanical response. The analysis revealed that steel fibre volume content significantly influences the tensile response of UHPC reinforcement more than the steel bar diameter and yield strength. Comparing the strain in steel bars to the average strain in reinforced UHPC specimens indicated that post-cracking deformation concentrates at the crack. At the same time, the bond between reinforcement and UHPC remains intact in uncracked sections, allowing effective load transfer. UHPC specimens reinforced with 14 mm diameter steel bars displayed a significant horizontal segment in the descending phase of the stress–strain curve. In contrast, specimens with 18 mm or 22 mm diameter bars exhibit a progressive stress reduction at a nearly constant rate. Stress–strain curves of UHPC were fitted with a five-fold piecewise empirical model applicable to UHPC with a reinforcement ratio higher than 0.09%. The resulting model can be used to model the axial behaviour in UHPC, considering the effects of steel reinforcement.

Sulfate resistance of UHPC during dry-wet cycling and energy dissipation under compression

To study the sulfate resistance of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in saline soil area of western China, four kinds of sulfate solution concentrations (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %) and 18 dry-wet cycle tests for 540 days were carried out on UHPC specimens. The effects of sulfate dry-wet cycles on the evolution of UHPC strength and energy were studied, the characteristic stress points during uniaxial compression of UHPC under sulfate dry-wet cycle were determined, based on the evolution law of each energy (total energy U, dissipated energy Ud , elastic stress Ue) at the characteristic stress points, the energy storage index was established to measure the damage degree of UHPC. The results show that the energy evolution process and damage mechanism of UHPC samples under sulfate-wet and dry cycle erosion are closely related to macro and micro changes. With the development of sulfate dry-wet cycle, the dissipative energy Ud and elastic strain energy Ue of UHPC at the characteristic stress points increased first and then decreased. The development trend of elastic strain energy Ue and dissipative energy Ud is more severe with the increase of sulfate solution concentration. The ratio of elastic strain energy at damage stress to elastic strain energy at peak stress (Ueib/Uei) is taken as the energy storage index Kib to measure the damage degree of UHPC, under 10%Na2SO4 erosion, Kib can be increased by 21.41 % at the highest and decreased by 29.67 % at the lowest compared with the initial value. It shows that the damage process of UHPC is difficult and then easy, and this index can accurately reflect the external force required for the damage of UHPC under sulfate dry-wet cyclic erosion, and provide a reference for the safe and stable operation of UHPC in saline soil area.

Experimental investigations on the blast response of reinforced NSC, FRC and UHPC I-shape girders under contact explosions

To investigate the blast response and evaluate the structural resilience of reinforced I-shape girders, seven reinforced normal strength concrete (NSC), fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) specimens are subjected to multiple contact explosions in this study. With the test results, the concrete damage regions and plastic deformation of steel bars are used to recognize the damage mechanism of the test specimens. The experimental results show that the damage modes of I-shape girders are mainly dominated by vertical punctures and transverse shear failures. Due to fragile characteristics, nearly 35 % of the punching crater in concrete webs, the entire shear failure of top plates, and severe plastic deformation of steel bars are discovered in NSC specimens. Polyethylene fibers improve ductility, allowing for smaller steel bar deflection and a reduction in punching depth to 21.6 % in FPC specimens. However, due to the oversized impact energies and the insufficient material strength, the transverse shear failure cannot be significantly mitigated. By contrast, not only significantly reduced punching depth but also greatly mitigated transverse shear failures are observed in UHPC specimens. Under 50 g∼200 g contact explosions, the punching depth ratios are reduced to 3.3 %, 16.6 %, and 25.8 %, merely. Apart from that, after explosions, the transverse shear failure and plastic deformation of steel bars can be effectively reduced. Due to the remarkably decreased damage regions, the UHPC specimens exhibit better structural resilience after blast loadings.

A refined model for the flexural behavior of reinforced UHPC members under sustained loading

The long-term behavior of reinforced Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) members is significantly influenced by UHPC’s creep properties. To predict the long-term performance of structural members, it is essential to have both a material-level creep model and a constitutive model for structural analysis. This paper presents a refined model for the long-term performance of UHPC, incorporating critical nonlinear deformation mechanisms: instantaneous damage, plastic strain, creep strain, and time-dependent damage. The constitutive model for instantaneous damage and plastic strain mechanisms is based on experimental data from short-term cyclic loading tests on UHPC specimens. Additionally, the creep strain components and time-dependent damage evolution laws are derived from well-established linear and nonlinear creep models, validated for cementitious materials through extensive research. The model parameters were meticulously calibrated using creep damage test results from UHPC. The validation process included linear and nonlinear creep tests on UHPC cylinders under sustained stress levels ranging from 0.2fc to 0.66fc, creep failure tests on UHPC cylinders under sustained stress levels from 0.85fc to 0.95fc, and long-term bending tests of reinforced UHPC beams under sustained load. In the linear and nonlinear creep tests, comparison between the calculated ultimate creep coefficients and the experimental results demonstrates the model’s validity under low and moderate stress levels. In the creep failure test, a comparative analysis of strain evolution and creep lifetime between experimental and model results confirms the model’s validity under high sustained stress levels. Similarly, during the long-term bending test, simulated time-dependent displacement and compressive strain show good agreement with the experimental data, confirming the model’s accuracy in predicting the long-term performance of reinforced UHPC members. Furthermore, to streamline the constitutive model, the instantaneous damage effect was simplified and ultimately neglected. A comparison of simulation results between the original model and the simplified version demonstrates that disregarding the instantaneous damage effect is a safe approach for practical engineering applications.

Enhancing UHPC Tensile Performance Using Polystyrene Beads: Significant Improvements and Mechanisms.

This study investigates utilizing spherical polystyrene (PS) beads as artificial flaws to improve ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) tensile performance using a uniaxial tensile test and explains the corresponding mechanisms by analyzing the internal material structure of UHPC specimens with X-ray CT scanning. With a hooked steel fiber volume fraction of 2%, three PS bead dosages were employed to study tensile behavior changes in dog-bone UHPC specimens. A 33.4% increase in ultimate tensile strength and 174.8% increase in ultimate tensile strain were recorded after adding PS beads with a volume fraction of 2%. To explain this improvement, X-ray CT scanning was utilized to investigate the post-test internal material structures of the dog-bone specimens. AVIZO software was used to analyze the CT information. The CT results revealed that PS beads could not only serve as the artificial flaws to increase the cracking behavior of the matrix of UHPC but also significantly optimize the fiber orientation. The PS beads could serve as stirrers during the mixing process to distribute fiber more uniformly. The test results indicate a relationship between fiber orientation and UHPC tensile strength.

Reinforcement Effects on Tensile Behavior of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) with Low Steel Fiber Volume Fractions.

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) with a low steel fiber volume fraction offers lower material costs than UHPC with typical steel fiber volume fractions, and has the potential to mitigate the ductility degradation of rebar-reinforced UHPC (R-UHPC). This study explores the reinforcement effect on the tensile behavior of UHPC with a low fiber volume fraction with the aim of facilitating more cost-efficient UHPC applications. The axial tensile behavior of 30 UHPC specimens with low fiber volume fractions at different reinforcement ratios was tested through direct tensile tests. The findings indicate that adopting UHPC with a low fiber volume fraction can significantly mitigate the ductility deterioration of rebar-reinforced UHPC (R-UHPC), and both increasing the reinforcement ratio and decreasing the fiber volume fraction contribute to the improvement in ductility. The failure modes of R-UHPC are determined by the ratio of reinforcement ratio and fiber volume fraction, rather than a single parameter, which also means that R-UHPC with different parameters may correspond to different methods to predict tensile load-bearing capacity. For UHPC with a fiber volume fraction low to 0.5%, incorporating steel rebars gives superior multi-crack cracking behavior and excellent capacity to restrict the maximum crack width. Increasing the fiber volume fraction from 0.5% to 1.0% at the same reinforcement ratio will yield little benefit other than an increase in tensile load-bearing capacity.