Durability and Sustainability Studies for Selection of Ultra-High Performance Concrete
摘要
Due to rising demand for infrastructure in India, there is an increasing need for the construction of skyscrapers and multi-span bridges. Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is emerging as a cost-efficient option due to its exceptional strength and durability. Conventional UHPC formulations usually include cement, micro silica, quartz sand, steel fibers, high-range superplasticizer, and water. To minimize the use of cement, attention should be directed toward integrating supplementary cementitious materials and utilizing locally available resources. This research study investigates with the use of cement, Class F fly ash, blast furnace slag (BFS), and micro silica as source materials for UHPC. Five different UHPC mixes having total cementitious content of around 1400 kg/m3 and water-to-cementitious ratio of 0.16 were selected based on their mechanical properties according to ASTM C1856 standards. Additional materials such as high-range water reducer (HRWR), shrinkage reducing admixture, micro steel fibers, and water were kept constant throughout all the mixes. Different durability tests, including rapid chloride permeability and water impermeability, were conducted on the specimens. Additionally, the study compared the embodied CO2 (eCO2) and durability of different UHPC mixes. The findings indicated that higher compressive strength correlates with increased eCO2 emissions and reduced durability. Therefore, eCO2 and durability are crucial factors in selecting materials for UHPC.