• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.389-401
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• 2022

This study investigated the flowability and mechanical properties of cost-effective steel fiber reinforced ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) by using locally available materials for field-cast application. To examine the effect of mixture constituents, five mixtures with different fractions of silica fume, silica powder, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica sand, and crushed natural sand were proportionally prepared. Comprehensive experiments for different mixture designs were conducted to evaluate the fresh- and hardened-state properties of self-consolidating UHPC. The results showed that the proposed UHPC had similar mechanical properties compared with conventional UHPC while the flow retention over time was enhanced so that the field-cast application seemed appropriately cost-effective. The self-consolidating UHPC with high flowability and low viscosity takes less total mixing time than conventional UHPC up to 6.7 times. The X-ray computed tomographic imaging was performed to investigate the steel fiber distribution inside the UHPC by visualizing the spatial distribution of steel fibers well. Finally, the tensile stress-strain curve for the proposed UHPC was proposed for the implementation to the structural analysis and design.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.407-418
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• 2022

This paper numerically investigates the effect of changes in the mechanical properties (displacement, strain, and stress) of the ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) without rebar and the reinforced concrete (RC) using steel re-bars. This reinforced concrete is mostly used in the concrete bridge decks. A mixture of sand, gravel, cement, water, steel fiber, superplasticizer, and micro silica was used to fabricate UHPC specimens. The extended finite element method as used in the ABAQUS software is applied for considering the mechanical properties of UHPC, RC, and ordinary concrete specimens. To calibrate the ABAQUS, some experimental tests have been carried out in the laboratory to measure the direct tensile strength of UHPC by the compressive-to-tensile load converting (CTLC) device. This device contains a concrete specimen and is mounted on a universal tensile testing apparatus. In the experiments, three types of mixed concrete were used for UHPC specimens. The tensile strength of these specimens ranges from 9.24 to 11.4 MPa, which is relatively high compared with ordinary concrete specimens, which have a tensile strength ranging from 2 to 5 MPa. In the experimental tests, the UHPC specimen of size 150×60×190 mm with a central hole of 75 mm (in diameter)×60 mm (in thickness) was specially made in the laboratory, and its direct tensile strength was measured by the CTLC device. However, the numerical simulation results for the tensile strength and failure mechanism of the UHPC were very close to those measured experimentally. From comparing the numerical and experimental results obtained in this study, it has been concluded that UHPC can be effectively used for bridge decks.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.223-234
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• 2016

In this study, direct tension test for hybrid steel fiber reinforced ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) containing two different steel fibers with a length of 16 and 19 mm was performed to investigate the fracture behavior of UHPC. Test results showed that crack strength and tensile strength, and fracture energy increased with increasing the fiber volume ratio. Based on the test results, the peak cohesive stress at the crack tip, tensile strength, and fracture energy depending on the fiber volume ratio were proposed. The proposed tensile strength of UHPC was suggested as a function of the fiber volume ratio and compressive strength. The peak cohesive stress at the crack tip and fracture energy were also proposed as a function of the tensile strength. The predicted values were relatively agree well with the test results. Thus, the proposed equations is expected to be applicable to UHPC with a compressive strength of 140~170 MPa and a fiber volume ratio of less than 2%.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.92-99
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• 2011

Ultra High Performance Concrete(UHPC) is a superior structural material with high strength and durability. Construction of light and slim structures is realized to apply this expectable new materials in practice. This research is a part of the project to develop UHPC precast deck system for hybrid cable stayed bridge. The main object of this study is to investigate behavior of the lap-spliced reinforced connection in UHPC. The major parameter considered in experimental plan was lap-spliced length. The 4-points bending test for 12 specimens were conducted to verify the effect of considered parameters. Test results show that the minimum value of lap spliced length of 300mm which specified in current korea high bridge design code was very conservative for UHPC precast deck system.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.487-498
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• 2023

The present study investigated the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with an ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) panel having various thicknesses. Two fabrication methods were introduced in this study; one was the direct casting of UHPC onto the bottom surface of the RC beams (I-series), and the other was the attachment of a prefabricated UHPC panel using an adhesive (E-series). UHPC panels having thicknesses of 10, 30, 50, and 70 mm were applied to RC beams, and these specimens were subjected to four-point loading to assess the effect of the UHPC thickness on the flexural strengthening of RC beams. The test results indicated that the peak strength and initial stiffness were vastly enhanced with an increase in the thickness of the UHPC panel, showing an improved energy dissipation capacity. In particular, the peak strength of the E-series specimens was higher than that of I-series specimens, showing high compatibility between the RC beam and the UHPC panel. The experimental test results were comparatively explored with a discussion of numerical analysis. Numerical analysis results showed that the predictions are in fair agreement with experimental results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2018.11a
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• pp.161-162
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• 2018

In this study, it evaluate the impact resistance of UHPC by repeated impact. smooth steel fiber and polyvinyl alcohol fiber were reinforced in UHPC respectively. Overall, the impact resistance of the specimens reinforced with 0.4vol.% PVA fiber was high, and the crater diameter was small in specimens using 13mm fiber. When 19 mm steel fiber is used, the fracture depth is small due to the increase of macro crack resistance compared with other specimens. On the other hand, in the case of the fracture area, it is considered that the use of the fiber of 13 mm causes an increase in the stress dispersion effect to occur small.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.2
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• pp.149-161
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• 2024

In the world, the construction science and technology industry has developed strongly thanks to the application of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) technology, with a strength greater than 150 Mpa and unprecedented durability. compared to previous materials. However, this technology can build special structures but has limited use in construction because it is not commercially feasible to replace regular concrete in most structural types due to material costs. high, lack of availability, limited design standards, complex manufacturing and maintenance techniques. This article examines the composition of UHPC materials and their performance in composite structures with conventional concrete, a promising choice for promoting the development of UHPC technology in construction. It is based on the combined use of UHPC as a covering layer around normal concrete or as an inner core to increase the strength of normal concrete, create a slender structure and reduce the cost and repair of construction works. Construction and transport infrastructure are degraded. Manufacturing costs are expected to be reduced with composite construction due to the advantages of combined materials.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.409-425
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• 2024

This paper utilizes LS-DYNA software to numerically investigate impact response and damage evaluation of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) composite beams (FRP-UHPC beams). Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models are established and calibrated by using literature-based static and impact tests, demonstrating high accuracy in simulating FRP-UHPC beams under impact loading. Parametric analyses explore the effects of impact mass, impactor height, FRP bar type and diameter, and clear span length on dynamic response and damage modes. Two failure modes emerge: tensile failure with bottom longitudinal reinforcement fracture and compression failure with local concrete compression near the impact region. Impact mass or height variation under the same impact energy significantly affects the first peak impact force, but minimally influences peak midspan displacement with a difference of no more than 5% and damage patterns. Increasing static flexural load-carrying capacity enhances FRP-UHPC beam impact resistance, reducing displacement deformation by up to 30%. Despite similar static load-carrying capacities, different FRP bars result in varied impact resistance. The paper proposes a damage assessment index based on impact energy, static load-carrying capacity, and clear span length, correlating well with beam end rotation. Their linearly-fitting coefficient was 1.285, 1.512, and 1.709 for the cases with CFRP, GFRP, and BFRP bars, respectively. This index establishes a foundation for an impact-resistant design method, including a simplified formula for peak midspan displacement assessment.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2019

The rich recipe of ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) offers the higher mechanical, durability and dense microstructure property. The variable like cement/sand ratio, amount of supplementary cementitious material, water/binder ratio, amount of fiber etc. alters the UHPC hardened properties to any extent. Therefore, to understand the effects of these variables on the performance of UHPC, inevitably a stage-wise development is required. In the present experimental study, the effect of sand/cement ratio, the addition of finer material (fly ash and quartz powder) and, hybrid fiber on the fresh, compressive and microstructural property of UHPC is evaluated. The experiment is conducted in three phases; the first phase evaluates the flow value and strength attainment of ingredients, the second phase evaluates the efficiency of finer materials (fly ash and quartz powder) to develop the UHPC and the third phase evaluate the effect of hybrid fiber on the flow value and strength of ultra high performance hybrid fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-HFRC). It has been seen that the addition of fly ash improves the flow value and compressive strength of UHPC as compared to quartz powder. Further, the usage of hybrid fiber in fly ash contained matrix decreases the flow value and improves the strength of the UHP-HFRC matrix. The dense interface between matrix and fiber and, a higher amount of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) in fly ash contained UHP-HFRC is revealed by SEM and XRD respectively. The dense interface (bond between the fiber and the UHPC matrix) and the higher CSH formation are the reason for the improvement in the compressive strength of fly ash based UHP-HFRC. The differential thermal analysis (DTA/TGA) shows the similar type of mass loss pattern, however, the amount of mass loss differs in fly ash and quartz powder contained UHP-HFRC.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.361-364
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• 2008

To design structures with Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), it is necessary to estimate the mechanical properties first of all. The most attractive characteristics of UHPC are the considerable tensile strength and behavior. Therefore the most important thing in order to properly design UHPC structures is to establish the constitutive model to represent the tensile behavior of UHPC. In this study, it was tried to find out the tensile behavior of UHPC by experiments and analyses. Through comparisons with the French SETRA/AFGC recommendations and the Japanese recommendations for the Ultra High-Strength Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Structures, a reasonable model which could represent the tensile stress-strain relationship in the structural design was proposed