Ultra-high-performance Fiber-reinforced Concrete Research Articles

Corrosion risk and corrosion-induced deterioration of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete containing initial micro-defects

Micro-defects in UHPFRC, inevitably generated from the manufacturing to engineering service stage, impact its durability under extreme service environments. However, relevant understanding is still insufficient. This work assesses the corrosion risk and corrosion-induced deterioration in UHPFRC containing initial micro-defects, simulated by a combination of mechanical pre-loading and thermal treatment. Analytical analyses include electrochemical tests (OCP, Tafel, EIS), SEM, MIP, compressive strength measurements, etc. Results show that initial defect degree and steel fiber contents have significant effects on the corrosion resistance and mechanical performance of UHPFRC. Micro-cracks and pores are the major channels to deepen fiber corrosion risk, degrading mechanical performance up to 52%-56% in the most severely damaged UHPFRC. The porosity is increased by the corrosion/increased defects and fiber contents up to a growth rate of 35%, 56% and 78%, respectively, as corrosion triggers the occurrence of new defects (e.g., fiber splitting, newborn micro-cracks, pores). The present results provide a reference for predicting the corrosion potential of the defective UHPFRC.

Chloride induced mechanical degradation of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete: Insights from corrosion evolution paths

Chloride-induced corrosion of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) inevitably affects structural durability. However, the process of multi-fiber corrosion and mechanical deterioration still lacks sufficient understanding. This work aims to reveal the fiber corrosion degradation mechanism from a microscopic to macroscopic view, applying multiple analytical analyses of atomic absorption spectrometry, SEM-EDS, nano-indentation, polarization, and macroscopic mechanical testing. Results show that the flexural strength of specimens decreases significantly with the increase of corrosion degree, and a clear reduction of up to 47% is found at a high corrosion degree. Elastic modulus and nano-hardness of corroded samples vary in a wide range of 30–189 GPa and 0.16–6.41 GPa. With the increase in fiber content, two distinctive corrosion mechanisms are proposed. The corrosion path deteriorates from fiber edge to inner by the invasion of erosive solution through the matrix at low contents (<2 vol%). Considering impurities, greater interfacial defects and macro-cell potential differences at high contents (≥2 vol%), another corrosion path originates from the fiber inner outward to the matrix. Fiber corrosion damages the fiber’s structural integrity and induces matrix deterioration, the micromechanics of the matrix along the fiber edge 20 μm decreases at least 10% more than the concrete matrix. This work firstly sheds light on the mechanical deterioration of UHPFRC from the perspective of fiber corrosion paths considering different initiation scenarios.

Effect of retrofit type on the blast performance and failure mode of HSC beams retrofitted with UHPFRC

This paper presents a strategy to prevent shear failure and improve the structural performance of existing high-strength concrete (HSC) beams under blast loading. The strategy involves retrofitting with ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), a novel material which is well-adapted for the blast hardening of concrete structures. Shock-tube air-blast tests are conducted on seven HSC beams which are retrofitted with UHPFRC. The objective was to characterize the effectiveness of various retrofit types on the blast behaviour of both shear-deficient and flexural-dominant HSC members. Three retrofit types were considered: U-jacketing (UJ), full-jacketing (FJ) and a tension-sided (T) overlay. Other parameters included the effects of the concrete substrate roughening method, as well as the tension steel ratio (1.6% or 2.4%) and presence of stirrups in the beams. Both the UJ and FJ retrofits were found to be effective in preventing shear failure in shear-deficient HSC beams having varying shear demands. In addition, both retrofits increased member strength and stiffness, thereby reducing blast-induced displacements and increasing overall blast resistance. Comparing the two retrofits, optimal performance was obtained with full-jacketing due its ability to delay concrete crushing. In HSC beams with sufficient stirrups, both the T-sided and FJ retrofits reduced blast-induced displacements; however, the use of full-jacketing was better able to control damage and increase blast capacity. The roughening method had no substantial effect on the FJ retrofit performance or failure mode, with no debonding observed in the tests.

Fire Performance of Fiber-reinforced Ultra-High-Performance Concrete: A state-of-the-art review

Explosive spalling is a major problem for structures made of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) after being exposed to fire, which hinders their practical applications. To overcome this obstacle, fibers have become an essential constituent of UHPC in past decades. This paper summarizes a state-of-the-art review related to the fire performance of UHPC using single and hybrid fibers. The spalling behavior, spalling mechanism, mechanical properties, and microstructure characteristics of fiber-reinforced UHPC are summarized, and structural performance of fiber-reinforced UHPC members at elevated temperatures is discussed. This review reveals that fire-induced spalling is a significant concern in UHPC, and it can be caused by various mechanisms. The addition of fibers can play a crucial role in preventing spalling, and different mechanisms for different types of fibers have been reported in the literature for UHPC with both single and hybrid fibers. Therefore, fiber hybridization is recommended to enhance the spalling resistance of UHPC. The future directions and challenges for UHPC at both the material and structural levels are discussed.

Performance of corroded RC beams strengthened in flexure using UHPC: Effect of configuration and thickness of the UHPC layers

In the present paper, an experimental investigation was carried out to examine the effect of configurations and thicknesses of ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPC) layers on the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened using UHPC layers after undergoing different degrees of accelerated reinforcement corrosion. The beams were tested under flexure to evaluate the effect of UHPC strengthening (with combinations of three UHPC layer thicknesses and two configurations) on failure modes, flexural strengths, and stiffnesses. Statistical analysis of the flexural test results using analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the significant effects of both configuration and thickness of the UHPC layers on the performance of corrosion-damaged RC beams in flexure, irrespective of the degree of reinforcement corrosion. The RC beams strengthened with UHPC layers applied on three sides exhibited the most significant increase in the ultimate flexural strength in the range of 6 to 63% and an increase in the stiffness in the range of 28 to 112% as compared to that of the uncorroded control beam. Furthermore, analytical models were developed to predict the flexural strength of the corroded beams strengthened using different configurations of UHPC layers. The close agreement of the ultimate flexural strength between the experimentally obtained results and analytically predicted values for the strengthened RC beams indicates the accuracy of the developed analytical models, which can be used to select an optimum strategy for strengthening the corrosion-damaged RC beams.

Comparative study of compressive behavior of confined NSC and UHPC/UHPFRC cylinders externally wrapped with CFRP jacket

This study conducted a fundamental investigation on compressive behaviors of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP)-confined normal-strength concrete (NSC) and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)/ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) subjected to concentric axial loading. The mechanical behavior of confined UHPC/UHPFRC, such as the failure mode, stress-strain response, and lateral dilation behavior, was found different from that of confined NSC. Specifically, the passive confining behavior of UHPC/UHPFRC was distinguished from NSC in terms of concrete crack evolution. Diverse cracking propagation patterns resulted in distinct dilation ratios and CFRP efficiency factors. The CFRP confinement could delay the formation of shear cracks, resulting in a linear increasing stage of the first branch in the stress-strain curve of CFRP-confined UHPC/UHPFRC. Moreover, existing stress-strain models available for CFRP-confined UHPC/UHPFRC were profoundly evaluated in this study.

Rehabilitation of overload-damaged reinforced concrete columns using ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete

Abstract One of the problems experienced by reinforced concrete (RC) structures, whether a mistake at the design phase or a change in building use, is an overload. The goal of this study is to determine whether ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is effective in repairing damaged concrete columns utilizing 30 mm thin concrete jacketing made of different steel fibers at various contents with varied aspect ratios (28, 37, and 45). Nine pieces of 500 mm long RC column specimens with a cross-sectional size of 150 mm × 150 mm were cast as part of the experimental program. By loading these columns with roughly 90% of their actual ultimate axial load capacities, damage was caused, and the columns were subsequently strengthened and rebuilt using UHPFRC jacketing materials. The results demonstrated that when steel fiber content increased, so did the mechanical qualities, such as compressive and tensile strengths. Rehab materials that contained 0.5% steel fiber recovered 138% of their maximum load-bearing capacities, while materials that contained 1.5% steel fiber recovered 164% of their original capacities, which were roughly 1.38–1.64 times that of the unjacketed reference column. Additionally, it was observed that employing steel fiber in UHPFRC contents in these approaches resulted in the ultimate displacement being improved from 2.91 to 5.53 mm at 1.5% of steel fiber content, which is an increase of almost double that of control specimens.

Fracture resistance of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete containing nanoparticles at high strain rates

The fracture resistance of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) containing various types of nanoparticles (NPs) under various strain rates (0.000333–156.55 s−1) was investigated. Four matrices were examined: UHPFRC without NPs (UM), UM containing 3% nano-CaCO3 (UC), UM containing 1% carbon nanotubes (UCNT), and UM containing 1% nano-SiO2 (US). The effects of the strain rate on the fracture resistance of the matrices, including fracture strength, fracture energy, and specific work-of-fracture (WS), were evaluated. All matrices containing NPs demonstrated a higher rate-sensitive fracture resistance than that of the UM matrix. The dynamic increase factors (DIF) for the WS of UC, US, and UCNT were 4.50, 4.30, and 3.68, respectively, whereas that of UM was the lowest at 3.44. Of the NP-containing UHPFRCs, at high strain rates between 140.6 and 156.55 s−1, the matrices arranged in order of decreasing WS magnitude are UC > US > UCNT. The fracture resistance enhancement in UC was attributed to the improvement in the C-S-H content of the fiber–matrix zone due to the added nano-CaCO3, which increased the interfacial bond strength of the smooth steel fibers embedded in the UHPFRC.

Experimental and Numerical Characterization of Non-Proprietary UHPFRC Beam—Parametric Analyses of Mechanical Properties

Fabrication of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is costly, especially when commercial materials are used. Additionally, in contrast to conventional concrete, numerical procedures to simulate the behaviour of ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) are very limited. To contribute to the foregoing issues in this field, local materials were used in the fabrication process, while accounting for environmental issues and costs. Micro steel fibres (L: 13 mm, d: 0.16 mm, and ft: 2600 MPa; L: length, d: diameter, ft: tensile strength) were used in 2% volumetric ratios. Compression and indirect tests were carried out on cylindrical and prismatic beams according to international standards. To further enrich the research and contribute to the limited simulation data on UHPFRC, and better comprehension of the parameters, numerical analyses were performed using the ATENA software. Finally, nonlinear regression analyses were employed to capture the deflection-flexural response of the beams. The results were promising, indicating cost-effective fabrication using local materials that met the minimum requirements of UHFRC in terms of compressive strength. Furthermore, inverse analysis proved to be an easy and efficient method for capturing the flexural response of UHPFRC beams.

Multifunctional ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete with integrated self-sensing and repair capabilities towards in-situ structure monitoring

Achieving continuous in-situ monitoring of repaired concrete structures has always been a great challenge. Ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), featuring superior mechanical capacity, excellent erosion resistance, and long-life cycle, is expected to realize durable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing repairs and possesses tremendous potential for intrinsic self-sensing. This paper presents the multifunctionality of UHPFRC with integrated self-sensing and repair capabilities using multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). An experimental evaluation on the bond performance and self-sensing properties, including the bond strength and failure patterns by the three-point bending, splitting tensile, and slant shear tests, electrical properties via alternating current impedance spectroscopy test, and electromechanical properties under three-point bending, was conducted through the designed composite layer between concrete substrate and UHPFRC. The microstructure of the interfacial zone was analysed to reveal the bonding mechanism. Results indicate that the addition of MWCNT improved the bond strength between concrete substrate and UHPFRC as MWCNT can enhance the adhesion and cohesion of the interfacial zone through inactive filling effect, as well as the frictional and mechanical interlocks through increased mechanical properties of repair UHPFRC. Moreover, the repair UHPFRC showed remarkable sensing capabilities for the initial cracking, deflection hardening or softening, and fibre pull-out and debonding processes of the composite layers. The optimal content of steel fibre and MWCNT in multifunctional UHPFRC should be 2 vol.% and 0.2 wt.%, respectively, considering the synergistic damage sensing and bonding properties.

Curing–dependent structural behavior of ultra-high-performance hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete beams

The application of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) is exceptionally versatile. However, a comprehensive understanding of UHP-FRC beam structural performance characteristics is lacking. The majority of research has concentrated on the behavior of structural members following standard water curing. This study investigated the impact of the curing regime on the structural performance of UHPC beams. The four different curing regimes used were standard, simulated hot arid weather, steam curing at various ages, and 5% sodium sulfate curing. Experimentally measured mechanical properties of UHP-FRC have been determined following ASTM guidelines, and the investigated beams have been tested under displacement-controlled four-point loading. Additionally, ACI 318 and FHWA-HIF codified formulas were employed in this study to predict the moment capacity of the tested beams. As a result of the various steam systems of varying ages, the load-carrying capacities of the beams were improved. By accelerating cement hydration, steam curing produces a stronger bond between fibers and the cementitious matrix, improving flexural strength. The control beam (under standard curing) showed a smaller maximum deflection, while all other beams showed similar deflection capacity. By accelerating the drying shrinkage, the beams under the 28-day standard with hot air curing were negatively impacted, with an average deflection value around 5% lower than control beams. The cured beams under simulated hot, arid conditions had the lowest flexural rigidity. A steam-cured beam had the highest moment-curvature performance, while a beam cured under simulated arid conditions had the lowest. Additionally, the ACI 318 design equation significantly underestimated beam maximum moments, while the FHWA approach marginally overestimated beam maximum moments with a predicted-to-tested average of 0.82.

Composition-strength relationship study of ultrahigh performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) using an interpretable data-driven approach

To study the relationship between composition and compressive strength of ultrahigh performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), an interpretable data-driven approach is proposed. This approach addresses the high cost, complexity, time consumption and difficulty in studying the multivariate dependence effects of design parameters with traditional experimental methods. To construct the prediction model, 400 experimental data points are leveraged to compose the dataset, and five GridSearchCV (GSCV)-tuned ensemble machine learning (ML) approaches are evaluated. The GSCV-CatBoost model, with its higher prediction accuracy and lower error, i.e., R2 = 0.945, RMSE = 8.567 and MAE = 5.084, is proposed as a robust tool for predicting the compressive strength. Furthermore, the results of the SHAP analysis reveal that concrete age and steel fiber content are the most important features for predicting the compressive strength and those of the multivariate dependence effects analysis show that an increase in FRC will reduce the positive effect of the L/B on the compressive strength when the L/B exceeds 1. The feature importance and size effect of the specimen are noteworthy for material designers in the selection of suitable raw materials to achieve the desired strength properties. Finally, a reverse design method based on the abovementioned approach is proposed for the development of new UHPFRC materials. To maximize the effect of the model, the application range of the model is limited to the target compressive strength of 50–232 MPa and includes basic material parameters such as cement strength and silica fume, sand, steel fiber, water, and superplasticizer content.

Sustainable construction material: Ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) for railway bridges in Malaysia

UHPFRC is a new concrete technology being used in many countries including Malaysia. UHPFRC favourable material properties open up new potential for precast options in bridge construction and have been widely used as beams for highway bridges in Malaysia. Nevertheless, PRC beams were preferred despite heavy in weight and large sections although these properties affect the design of the bridge substructure as well the cost of construction. This research is to review the applicability of Grade 140/155 UHPFRC beam for railway bridges in Malaysia. Laboratory tests for mechanical properties of UHPFRC were conducted and results were verified and complied with the French Standard, NF P18-470: 2016. The characteristic cylinder and cube compressive strengths were 151 and 155 MPa while the tensile limit of elasticity, post-cracking tensile strengths and modulus of rupture were 7.8, 8.4 and 24.3 MPa respectively. Structural analysis and design as per NF P18-710: 2016 requirement was then performed for a 15 meter UHPFRC IB650 beam to justify its applicability against a Grade 40/50 PRC U-beam of an existing railway bridge in which the ultimate shear and moment capacities of both beams were compared. The ultimate shear and moment capacities of the 4 numbers of U-beams/deck were 4,092 kN and 13,324 kNm respectively and when compared to UHPFRC IB650 beam, six numbers/deck were required with ultimate shear and moment capacities of 4,836 kN and 14,574 kNm respectively. For durability, the modulus of elasticity and depth of water penetration for UHPFRC were 50.8 GPa and 2mm respectively compared to 34 GPa and 11mm for Grade 40/50 concrete.

Synergistic use of ultra‐high‐performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) and carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) for improving the impact resistance of concrete‐filled steel tubes

SummaryConcrete‐filled steel tubes (CFSTs) have received growing attention, owing to their rapid construction, reduced labor requirement, and reasonable material cost. While in service, the CFSTs can be subjected to unexpected impact loads, originating from vehicle and vessel collision, as well as water‐ and wind‐borne debris impact. Such extreme loading events often cause a partial or complete failure of conventional CFSTs, risking the safety and performance of the entire structural systems that rely on them. To address this issue, the current study explores how two advanced composite materials, including ultra‐high‐performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) and carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP), can be utilized to provide superior mechanical properties and minimize the vulnerability of CFSTs to impact loads. The composite materials under consideration are appropriate for both new and existing structures, in which normal‐strength concrete can be replaced with UHPFRC, while CFRP sheets can further strengthen the CFSTs. For obtaining in‐depth insights, a computational framework validated with the experimental tests was developed in the current study. Using a set of representative impact scenarios, various response measures, such as internal forces and deflections, as well as the energy absorbed by the CFSTs, were recorded during impact simulations. The investigations were then further extended to capture the influence of the main design parameters related to concrete, CFRP, and steel tube. From the conducted investigations, an energy absorption index was introduced, as a measure to evaluate the performance of CFSTs under impact loads.

Strengthening of the Riddes Viaduct Through UHPFRC-Based Rehabilitation

Built in the mid-1970s, the Riddes viaduct is an important viaduct in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland. Thorough inspection of the viaduct revealed structural deterioration of concrete due to alkali–aggregate reaction, as well as corrosion of the prestressing tendons. In an effort to restore the structural integrity of the viaduct, a retrofit intervention that consists of adding a 50 mm layer of an Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) to the deck was proposed. The layer is characterized by its low permeability and excellent mechanical properties. The contribution of the overlay to the load-carrying capacity and stiffness of the viaduct was investigated through a continuum finite element model. Results of the model revealed that the UHPFRC layer significantly enhances the flexural and torsional strength and stiffness of the box girder and ameliorates tensile cracking. The retrofit intervention was deemed beneficial, and the rehabilitation process was carried out.

Influence of UHPFRC jacketing on the static, blast and post-blast behaviour of doubly-reinforced concrete beams

This paper investigates the effects of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) jacketing on the static and blast behavior of reinforced beams. The test program included a total of six beams with dimensions of 150 mm × 200 mm × 2440 mm, including three replicate control beams, and three replicate beams retrofitted with a 20 mm UHPFRC jacket. The beams were doubly-reinforced, with provision of compression bars and ties spaced at 75 mm throughout the beam span. Each beam type included specimens tested under quasi-static four-point bending, and repeated or singly-applied blast loads applied using a shock-tube. Under static loading the UHPFRC is shown to increase beam stiffness and capacity, however the high bond capacity of the UHPFRC, crack localization effect, and relatively low steel ratio resulted in bar rupture, thereby reducing ductility. Under repeated blast loading the UHPFRC effectively reduced maximum and residual displacements at equivalent blasts, but the crack localization which initiated at the earlier blasts eventually led to bar rupture. Under the singly-applied blast, the UHPFRC was found to reduce displacements, and better control damage when compared to the companion RC beam, without bar rupture. As part of the numerical study, finite element (FE) modelling was used to predict the blast response and damage in the test beams. A parametric study is also used to examine the effects of steel ratio, jacket thickness and jacket interface location on blast behavior.

Experimental investigation of the performance of normal and high-strength concrete confined by UHPFRC jacketing

This paper performed compressive tests on 24 cylindrical specimens strengthened by an ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) jacket. In order to investigate the influence of the concrete strength on the confinement effectiveness, the tests were made with 3 different concrete grades, C25, C40, and C60, using jackets with 25 mm and 35 mm thickness. The results showed that the UHPFRC jacket might significantly increase the confined concrete strength for the 3 different concrete classes. The circumferential strain analysis showed that the relation between the concrete strength and the jacket thickness impacts the jacket's effectiveness. This influence seems essential in comprehending the UHPFRC jacket with undersized or oversized dimensions. Some concrete confinement models were tested to predict the confined concrete strength. A suggestion of an equation to predict the concrete strength was proposed based on the influence of the behavior of the oversized and undersized UHPFRC jacket thickness.

Bond performance of CFRP bars embedded in UHPFRC incorporating orientation and content of steel fibers

The bond behavior of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars embedded in ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is a pivotal factor affecting the performance of CFRP bar-reinforced UHPFRC structures. The present investigation delves into the bond performance of CFRP bars in UHPFRC by conducting tests on thirty-six pullout specimens. In these tests, the effects of steel fiber orientation, steel fiber content, and CFRP bar diameter were considered. The results revealed that specimens with 12 mm-diameter CFRP bars primarily failed in a splitting-pullout mode, whereas those with 10 mm- and 8 mm-diameter CFRP bars exhibited pullout failure. It was observed that specimens containing 45° oriented steel fibers have the maximum bond strength (∼35.30 MPa), as the cracks within UHPFRC were more effectively constrained. The bond strength was found to increase with an increase in steel fiber content, attributed to the improved cracking resistance of UHPFRC. The average bond strengths of specimens with fiber contents of 2% and 2.5% are respectively increased by 10.66% and 14.52% compared to those with a fiber content of 1.5%. The bond strength increases with the increase in CFRP bar diameter, owing to the greater rib height and rib height-to-inner diameter ratio of larger-diameter CFRP bars. Finally, a theoretical model was developed to predict the bond strength, with an average ratio of predicted results to experimental results of 0.93 and a standard deviation of 0.176.

Review of Bond-Slip Behavior between Rebar and UHPC: Analysis of the Proposed Models

With superior mechanical properties and workability, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has been utilized extensively in engineering projects. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the bond behavior of UHPC or ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), researchers studied the factors influencing the bond-slip between rebar and UHPC or UHPFRC over the past few years. The literature-proposed ultimate bond strength formulas and the bond-slip constitutive model between rebar and UHPFRC are analyzed and compared. Based on the bond test database of UHPFRC, the results indicate that UHPFRC strength, relative concrete cover thickness, relative bond length, and steel fiber volume content are the primary parameters influencing the ultimate bond strength between rebar and UHPFRC. In the bond-slip constitutive model, the nonlinear ascending and linear descending model is more accurate than other models. This paper concludes by discussing the shortcomings in UHPC or UHPFRC bond research and predicting the future research trend.

Development of Ultra High-Performance Fiber reinforced concrete barge for 5 MW wind turbine

Floating wind turbines are gaining more popularity today as one of the effective green energy harvesting systems. In the effort to reduce the cost of construction for floating wind turbines, concrete support structures and concrete barge have been developed. However, due to the concrete low tensile strength and susceptibility to chemical action and freezing temperatures, the concrete barges are designed with very large sections resulting in high energy consumption, high volume of construction materials, weightier structure and more heavy equipment for fabrication and installation. Therefore, in order to overcome these challenges, in this study Ultra High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is proposed for use in casting a barge for a floating offshore wind turbine and compared to a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) barge. The experimental tests conducted on the UHPFRC and RCC barge small sized prototypes, showed less heel on the RCC barge compared to the UHPFRC barge. However, the RCC barge experienced severe green water load which could cause it to capsize. The hydrodynamic analysis results from the finite element analysis showed less pitch motions in the UHPFRC barge in 7 out of the 12 DLCs considered. The roll motions were less than 50 in both barges with insignificant difference between them, while in heave motions, the UHPFRC barge experienced 10% to 20% less motions than the RCC barge in all 12 DLCs. In the structural analysis, the maximum deformation of the UHPFRC barge was 14 mm, which is 129% higher than the deformation of the RCC barge. In overall, the UHPFRC barge proved to be more effective in achieving better hydrodynamic motions for the barge floater in comparison to the RCC barge and can be considered as alternative to the conventional reinforced cement concrete material.