Ultra-high performance concrete: From fundamental to applications

Abstract

Over the last twenty years, remarkable advances have taken place in the research and application of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), which exhibits excellent rheological behaviors that include workability, self-placing and self-densifying properties, improved in mechanical and durability performance with very high compressive strength, and non-brittleness behavior. It is the ‘future’ material with the potential to be a viable solution for improving the sustainability of buildings and other infrastructure components. This paper will give an overview of UHPC focusing on its fundamental introduction, design, applications and challenges. After several decades of development, a wide range of commercial UHPC formulations have been developed worldwide to cover an increasing number of applications and the rising demand of quality construction materials. UHPC has several advantages over conventional concrete but the use of it is limited due to the high cost and limited design codes. This paper also aims to help designers, engineers, architects, and infrastructure owners to expand the awareness of UHPC for better acceptance.