Articles

Flexural Resistance of Ultra-High Performance-Concrete Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles

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Abstract

Ultra-High Performance-Concrete (UHPC) is an advanced cementitious composite material with high durability and strength properties that exceed those of conventional concrete. This paper presents the flexural resistance of UHPC and the effect of fiber percentages by volume on flexural strength of UHPC subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. Freeze-thaw testing was performed on uncracked and pre-cracked 3-in. by 3-in. by 12-in prisms of non-proprietary UHPC developed at the University of Oklahoma with 2% steel fibers by volume. Results from these specimens were compared to control specimens made with the same mix design but cured in a room temperature lime-saturated water bath until the testing day. Freeze-thaw testing was also performed on a series of 4-in. by 4-in. by 15-in. prisms with no fibers, 1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% fibers by volume. Performance of all specimens was evaluated by measuring resonant frequency after every 36 or fewer cycles and residual flexural strength after the completion of 350 freeze-thaw cycles. All specimens showed no degradation of resonant frequency over time, and the uncracked specimens had higher resonant frequencies than the pre-cracked specimens. However, the pre-cracked specimens showed an increase in resonant frequency over the course of freeze-thaw testing while the uncracked specimens did not show a significant change in resonant frequency. The uncracked specimens exposed to freeze-thaw cycles achieved higher flexural capacity compared to the pre-cracked and control specimens and the flexural resistance of the pre-cracked specimens increased compared to the control specimens after 350 freeze-thaw cycles.

Keywords: UHPC, freeze-thaw, fibers, flexural strength, resonant frequency

How to Cite:

Yadak, O., Banik, D. & Floyd, R. W., (2023) “Flexural Resistance of Ultra-High Performance-Concrete Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles”, International Interactive Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete 3(1): 30. doi: https://doi.org/10.21838/uhpc.16657

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