Title:
Development of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete with Various Silica Admixtures
Author(s):
Yail J. Kim and Jun Wang
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
116
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
33-44
Keywords:
development; performance; silica; ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
DOI:
10.14359/51714450
Date:
3/1/2019
Abstract:
This paper presents the development of cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) using various silica admixtures. With the aim of achieving a specified compressive strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi), a UHPC mixture is formulated. The research program consists of three phases: 1) suitable constituents are identified based on the reproduction tests of nine existing UHPC mixtures selected from literature; 2) a prototype mixture design is developed; and 3) the performance of the prototype UHPC is assessed through an experimental parametric study. The implications of various constituent types are examined with an emphasis on silica compounds (silica fume, silica powder, silica sand, finer silica sand, pyrogenic silica, and precipitated silica), including steel and polypropylene fibers. The distribution of granular particles is characterized by digital microscopy alongside an image processing technique. Benchmark tests employing the nine mixtures demonstrate that silica sand and finer silica sand perform better than silica powder from a strength perspective, and the inclusion of steel fibers rather than polypropylene fibers is recommendable. Although heat curing increases concrete strength, the prototype UHPC is designed with conventional moisture curing because of practicality in the field. The steel fibers increase the flexural capacity of the UHPC more than 60% relative to the UHPC mixed without fibers, and result in a gradual failure mode. The bulk density of silica fume influences the strength gain of the UHPC at 7 days, beyond which its effect becomes insignificant. The use of pyrogenic silica and precipitated silica is not suggested. The applicability of the modulus of rupture equations specified in published specifications and codes is assessed, and new equations are proposed for the developed UHPC mixture using randomly generated statistical data. Cost analysis shows that the prototype UHPC is up to 74% less expensive than commercial products.
Related References:
1. Graybeal, B. A., “Material Property Characterization of Ultra-High Performance Concrete,” FHWA-HRT-06-103, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, 2006.
2. Russell, H., and Graybeal, B., “Ultra-High Performance Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Report for the Bridge Community,” Report No. FHWA-HRT-13-060, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, 2013.
3. Resplendino, J., “Ultra-High Performance Concretes—Recent Realizations and Research Programs on UHPFRC Bridges in France,” Second International Symposium on Ultra High Performance Concrete, Kassel, Germany, 2008, pp. 31-43.
4. Federal Highway Administration, “Tech Note: Ultra-High Performance Concrete,” FHWA-HRT-11-038, Washington, DC, 2011.
5. Blais, P., and Couture, M., “Precast, Prestressed Pedestrian Bridge—World’s First Reactive Powder Concrete Structure,” PCI Journal, V. 44, No. 5, 1999, pp. 60-71. doi: 10.15554/pcij.09011999.60.71
6. Rouse, J.; Wipf, T. J.; Phares, B. M.; Fanous, F.; and Berg, O., “Design, Construction, and Field Testing of an Ultra-High Performance Concrete Pi-Girder Bridge,” Bridge Engineering Center, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 2011.
7. Semioli, W., “The New Concrete Technology,” Concrete International, V. 23, No. 11, Nov. 2001, pp. 75-79.
8. Nazari, A., and Riahi, S., “The Effects of SiO2 Nanoparticles on Physical and Mechanical Properties of High Strength Compacting Concrete,” Composites. Part B, Engineering, V. 42, No. 3, 2011, pp. 570-578. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2010.09.025
9. ASTM C150/C150M-17, “Standard Specification for Portland Cement,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2017, 9 pp.
10. Mehta, P. K., and Monteiro, P. J. M., Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials, McGraw Hill, New York, 2014.
11. Garrett, P. R., Defoaming: Theory and Industrial Applications, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1993.
12. Habbaba, A.; Lange, A.; and Plank, J., “Synthesis and Performance of a Modified Polycarboxylate Dispersant for Concrete Possessing Enhanced Cement Compatibility,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, V. 129, No. 1, 2013, pp. 346-353. doi: 10.1002/app.38742
13. Al Madhoun, A. T., “Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete,” MS thesis, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine, 2013.
14. Mohammed, H., “Mechanical Properties of Ultra High Strength Fiber Reinforced Concrete,” MS thesis, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 2015.
15. Ahlborn, T. M.; Peuse, E. J.; and Misson, D. L., “Ultra-High Performance Concrete for Michigan Bridges, Material Performance Phase 1,” Final Report RC-1525, Center for Structural Durability, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 2008.
16. Askar, L. K.; Tayeh, B. A.; and Bakar, B. H. A., “Effect of Different Curing Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of UHPFC,” Iranica Journal of Energy and Environment, V. 4, No. 3, 2013, pp. 299-303. doi: 10.5829/idosi.ijee.2013.04.03.18
17. Zdeb, T., “Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties and Technology,” Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences, V. 61, No. 1, 2013, pp. 183-193. doi: 10.2478/bpasts-2013-0017
18. Wille, K.; Naaman, A. E.; and Parra-Montesinos, G. J., “Ultra-High Performance Concrete with Compressive Strength Exceeding 150 MPa (22 ksi): A Simpler Way,” ACI Materials Journal, V. 108, No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 2011, pp. 46-54.
19. Wille, K.; Naaman, A. E.; and El-Tawil, S., “Optimizing Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete,” Concrete International, V. 33, No. 9, Sept. 2011, pp. 35-41.
20. ASTM C192/C192M-16, “Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2016, 8 pp.
21. Tafraoui, A.; Escadeillas, G.; Lebaili, S.; and Vidal, T., “Metakaolin in the Formulation of UHPC,” Construction & Building Materials, V. 23, No. 2, 2009, pp. 669-674. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.02.018
22. Yang, S. L.; Millard, S. G.; Soutsos, M. N.; Barnett, S. J.; and Le, T. T., “Influence of Aggregate and Curing Regime on the Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC),” Construction & Building Materials, V. 23, No. 6, 2009, pp. 2291-2298. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.11.012
23. ASTM C39/C39M-15, “Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2015, 7 pp.
24. ASTM C1609-12, “Standard Test Method for Flexural Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete using Beam with Third-Point Loading,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. 2012, 9 pp.
25. Ferreira, T., and Rashband, W., “The ImageJ User Guide,” National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, 2012.
26. Gagne, R.; Boisvert, A.; and Pigeon, M., “Effect of Superplasticizer Dosage on Mechanical Properties, Permeability, and Freeze-Thaw Durability of High-Strength Concretes with and without Silica Fume,” ACI Materials Journal, V. 93, No. 2, Mar.-Apr. 1996, pp. 111-120.
27. Ahlborn, T. M.; Mission, D. L.; Peuse, E. J.; and Gilbertson, C. G., “Durability and Strength Characterization of Ultra-High Performance Concrete under Variable Curing Regimes,” Second International Symposium on Ultra High Performance Concrete, 2008, pp. 197-204.
28. Vandenberg, A., and Wille, K., “Evaluation of Resonance Acoustic Mixing Technology Using Ultra High Performance Concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, V. 164, 2018, pp. 716-730. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.217
29. De Larrard, F., Concrete Mixture Proportioning: A Scientific Approach, E&FN Spon, London, UK, 1999.
30. Yoo, D.-Y.; Lee, J.-H.; and Yoon, Y.-S., “Effect of Fiber Content on Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites,” Composite Structures, V. 106, 2013, pp. 742-753. doi: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.07.033
31. Strunge, J., and Deuse, T., “Special Cements for Ultra High Performance Concrete,” Second International Symposium on Ultra High Performance Concrete, Kassel, Germany, 2008, pp. 61-68.
32. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-14) and Commentary (ACI 318R-14),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2014, 520 pp.
33. AASHTO, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, eighth edition, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, Washington, DC, 2017.
34. CAN/CSA-A23.3-04, “Design of Concrete Structures,” Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga, ON, Canada, 2010.
35. CHBDC, “Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (S6-14),” CSA Group, Mississauga, ON, Canada, 2014.
36. Wong, H. H. C., and Kwan, A. K. H., “Packing Density of Cementitious Materials: Part 1—Measurement Using a Wet Packing Method,” Materials and Structures, V. 41, No. 4, 2008, pp. 689-701. doi: 10.1617/s11527-007-9274-5
37. Perry, V. H., and Seibert, P. J., “Working with Ductal Ultra-High Performance Concrete,” Concrete Plant International, V. 1, No. 11, 2011, pp. 2-5.