Feasibility of reducing the fiber content in ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete under flexure

Abstract

In this study, the flexural behavior of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is examined as a function of fiber length and volume fraction. Straight steel fiber with three different lengths (l(f)) of 13, 19.5, and 30 mm and four different volume fractions (v(f)) of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% are considered. Test results show that post-cracking flexural properties of UHPFRC, such as flexural strength, deflection capacity, toughness, and cracking behavior, improve with increasing fiber length and volume fraction, while first-cracking properties are not significantly influenced by fiber length and volume fraction. A 0.5 vol % reduction of steel fiber content relative to commercial UHPFRC can be achieved without deterioration of flexural performance by replacing short fibers (l(f) of 13 mm) with longer fibers (l(f) of 19.5 mm and 30 mm).