Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC): A state-of-the-art review of material behavior, structural applications and future

Ultra-high-performance concrete commonly known as UHPC is rising curiosity among structural engineers all over. Though early research on this material dates back to a couple of decades, some initial knowledge about this material, its behavior, and its properties is largely limited to a few research circles in a handful of advanced countries. This paper introduces UHPC as a material, elaborates on its ingredients, and describes its properties. A detailed review of available research literature about UHPC is made. The contributions made by several researchers have been discussed in detail. Following this, the structural behavior and strength of the material are reviewed comprehensively. Comparisons are made between conventional concrete and UHPC with respect to their properties, stress-strain relation, cracking behavior, compressive, tensile, and shear strengths. A detailed evaluation is made of the enhanced properties of the material with respect to its durability and long-term performance. The resistance of this material to moisture permeability, chloride ingress, and chemical attacks is understood. The impact resistance and energy absorption characteristics of the material are compared with conventional concrete. The study documented the structural applications of UHPC as well as the potential applications in the field of civil engineering. Finally, the authors enlisted the impacts of this new material (UHPC) on the future direction of structural engineering and the innovative solutions it can provide to structural engineering problems.