Mechanical Behavior and Design Properties of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete

The appropriate and efficient design of structural components made with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) requires the establishment of key design properties and material models that engage UHPC’s distinct mechanical properties, as compared to conventional concrete. This paper presents the results of an extensive program of compression and tension property assessment executed according to existing testing methods to assess the mechanical characteristics of several commercially available UHPC products. The experimental results are then used to propose suitable mechanical models and design parameters that are foundational for the structural-level application of UHPC. The models rely on a set of experimentally identified mechanical performance properties that distinguish UHPC from conventional concrete and establish the basis of the material qualification for use in structural design. As such, this work constitutes a fundamental step in ongoing efforts to develop UHPC structural design guidance in the United States.