First principles-based design of economical ultra-high performance concrete

A. Arora, M. Aguayo, F. Kianmofrad, Y. Yao, B. Mobasher, N. Neithalath

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This paper presents a novel strategy to design the binder phase of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) from commonly available cement replacement (fly ash, slag, microsilica, metakaolin) and fine filler (limestone) materials. A packing algorithm is used to extract the number density, mean centroidal distance, and coordination number of the microstructure. Similarly, rheological studies on the pastes provide yield stress, plastic viscosity, and mini-slump spread. The selection criteria involves using the three microstructural and three rheological parameters individually or in combination to define packing and flow coefficients. The selection criteria is flexible enough to allow users modify the constraints depending on the application. The binder with the desired packing and rheological features is combined with aggregate sizes and amounts chosen from a compressible packing model based on maximum packing density. A fiber volume fraction of 1% is also used, along with accommodations for wall and loosening effects. The model is programmed in a user-friendly environment to enable engineers select aggregates from locally available materials. Compressive strengths greater than 150 MPa are obtained for the selected UHPC mixtures after 28 days of moist curing. The strength-normalized cost of such mixtures is only a fraction of that of proprietary UHPCs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication6th International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures, ICDCS 2018
EditorsP. A. Muhammed Basheer
PublisherWhittles Publishing Limited
Pages877-889
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)1849953945, 9781849953948
StatePublished - 2018
Event6th International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures, ICDCS 2018 - Leeds, United Kingdom
Duration: Jul 18 2018Jul 20 2018

Publication series

Name6th International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures, ICDCS 2018

Conference

Conference6th International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures, ICDCS 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLeeds
Period7/18/187/20/18

Keywords

  • Compressive strength
  • Durability
  • Microstructure
  • Particle packing
  • Rheology
  • Ultra high-performance concrete

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • General Materials Science
  • Building and Construction

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