Experimental evaluation of flexural behavior of UHPFRC slabs utilizing local constituents

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering 2023-11, Vol.78, p.107734, Article 107734
• Main Authors: Woodson, Bowen G., Foust, Bradley W., Robert, Stephen D., Scott, Dylan A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Flexural behavior; Protective structures; Slabs; UHPFRC; Yield line
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107734

New ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concretes (UHPFRCs) are being developed throughout the world using locally-sourced materials to reduce financial and logistical burdens. Understanding force protection capabilities of these new materials requires experimental data that are useful for validating constitutive models or fast-running computational tools. Flexural performance of two UHPFRCs from different regions of the world are compared via one-way slabs subjected to uniform quasi-static loads. Results are also compared to a normal-strength concrete and two high-strength concretes from different regions. Results showed increased unconfined compressive strength of concrete leads to increased flexural resistance and stiffness. Furthermore, fiber reinforcement greatly increases flexural capacity in slabs but can cause brittle failure when combined with high reinforcement ratios of conventional reinforcement. While the UHPFRCs had different mechanical properties, both increased the maximum flexural capacity and showed potential for significantly improved performance for force protection applications. •Classical yield line theory does not accurately predict flexural capacities of UHPFRC slabs.•UHPFRC elements can be constructed from local constituents to reduce logistical burdens without sacrificing performance.•UHPFRC one-way slabs greatly improve strength when compared to NSC slabs and HSC slabs without flexural reinforcement.•Laboratory flexural experiments should not solely be used to understand flexural behavior of full-scale concrete members.•Optimization is necessary to balance ductility and strength in UHPFRC slabs with additional conventional reinforcement.