Testing Procedures
Authors: Daniel Bridi Valentim (University of Alabama) , Sriram Aaleti (University of Alabama) , Armen Amirkhanian (University of Alabama) , Michael E. Kreger (University of Alabama)
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is a relatively new class of concrete material that exhibits exceptional mechanical and durability properties compared to traditional concrete. Unlike normal concrete, UHPC has a sustained post-cracking tensile strength due to the presence of steel fibers and strain hardening of the fibers. The tensile response of UHPC plays an important role in the design of structural members. However, currently there is no standard test method available to reliably characterize the tensile behavior of UHPC. There are several experimental methods available in literature to quantify the tension behavior of steel fiber-reinforced concrete. The test methods include the disk-shaped compact tension (DCT) test, double-edge wedge-splitting (DEWS) test, single-edge notched beam specimen (SEN(B)), and four-point beam bending test. FHWA is currently developing a direct-tension test procedure for quantifying UHPC tension behavior. A total of 47 specimens, including at least 6 specimens for each type of test, were constructed using a commercially available UHPC mix and were tested to failure using standard test procedures. Using experimentally measured force-displacement response, fracture parameters and tensile stresses were calculated for different test methods. This paper presents details of the experimental investigation, observations, and observed correlation between the tension behavior obtained from the conducted tests.
Keywords: tensile strength, experimental methods, Ultra-High Performance Concrete
How to Cite: Bridi Valentim, D. , Aaleti, S. , Amirkhanian, A. & Kreger, M. E. (2019) “Experimental Evaluation of Test Methods to Characterize Tensile Behavior of UHPC”, International Interactive Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete. 2(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21838/uhpc.9704