Mechanical and fracture mechanics properties of ultra-high-performance concrete

This research investigated the effect of materials constituents such as crushed quartz powder, silica fume, steel fibers, and different aggregate size on compressive strength and fracture properties of ultra-high-performance concrete. Failure load was calculated from experimental results at 17 mm notched depth for all mixes to obtain critical stress intensity factor (K-IC). K-IC was obtained by using the finite element analysis of notched concrete beams. Results showed that using 20% crushed quartz powder, combined sand and 2% steel fibers were found to be beneficial in increasing the compressive strength at all ages. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.