Title: A New Mixture Design Method for Ultra-High-Strength Concrete

Author(s): A. R. Khaloo, H. Karimi, S. Asadollahi, and M. Dehestani

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 114

Issue: 2

Appears on pages(s): 215-224

Keywords: compressive strength; Marsh cone test; mixture design method; modeling; silica fume; ultra-high-strength concrete; water-binder ratio

DOI: 10.14359/51689475

Date: 3/1/2017

Abstract:
The aim of this study is to develop a new mixture design method for ultra-high-strength concrete (UHSC) incorporating silica fume. At first, the study deals with the procedures, advantages, and drawbacks of the common mixture design methods for producing UHSC, and then presents the mixture design procedures of the proposed method followed by validation experiments. Finally, it discusses the effects of different parameters on the strength of UHSC over a wide range of water-binder ratios (w/b) and silica fume replacement percentages. The results indicate that UHSC can be produced successfully using this method by using the lowest water amount among the other methods. In addition, it was found that UHSC obeys the so-called Abrams’ law and its compressive strength can be optimized using 15% silica fume by mass of cement. Also, the ability of three models to predict the compressive strength of UHSC at 28 days was evaluated. These models provide useful guides for estimation of UHSC compressive strength.