Development of an Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) Manufacturable at Ambient Temperature

Abstract

Ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) manufacturing typically requires heat curing. UHPFRC production at a ready-mixed concrete (RMC) plant is often difficult because specific equipment is required for heat curing. Concerns associated with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) construction include the energy costs and environmental impacts of the heat curing and transportation from the factory to the construction site. Few studies have been conducted on the manufacturing of UHPFRC under standard curing conditions. The strength properties of UHPFRC manufactured under standard curing are typically poorer than those of UHPFRC manufactured under heat curing. The materials and mixture proportions required for the UHPFRC manufacturable under ambient temperature conditions were investigated. Five types of cement and four types of powder materials were tested, as well as the fine aggregate needed to achieve proper fluidity. This paper reports that the cement having low C3A and high C3S is suitable for the UHPFRC manufacturable at ambient temperatures; the allowable volume of fine aggregate was 600 kg/m3 for the UHPFRC having a proper dispersion of steel fibres; the highest water-binder ratio (W/B) of 21% was found for the UHPFRC cured under ambient temperature.