Characterization of Non-proprietary UHPC for Use in Rehabilitation/Strengthening Applications

UHPFRC has become one of the most promising cement-based materials for the next generation of infrastructures because of its good workability, outstanding mechanical properties, and excellent durability. A promising field of application is the rehabilitation and/or strengthening of existing reinforced concrete structures, in which a new layer of UHPFRC replaces the deteriorated concrete (cracked, carbonated, chloride attack, etc.). The combination of the UHPFRC as protective layer, which can be reinforced, provides a simple and efficient way of increasing the durability (extending the service life), the stiffness and structural resistance capacity while keeping compact cross sections. A study was carried out to test a non-proprietary UHPC mix containing equilibrium catalyst to determine whether this new mix is a viable option for rehabilitation/strengthening applications. Several mechanical properties and durability were assessed, such as early age E-modulus development and autogenous shrinkage, compressive strength evolution in time, uniaxial tensile strength, water absorption by capillarity, chloride ion penetration, alkali-silica reactivity and sulphates attack resistance. Test results show that new UHPC developed present equivalent performance to other UHPCs cured under normal curing conditions.