Nassar, Roz-Ud-Din, Balachandra, Anagi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-7146, Room, Shah, Soroushian, Parviz, Chen, Yang and Bahadori-Jahromi, Ali ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-7146 (2026) Fracture-Controlled Mechanical Behavior of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Incorporating Slag and Limestone Powder Under Static and Impact Loading. Sci, Volume 8, Article 248, 8 (9).

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Abstract

iUltra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is characterized by exceptional compressive strength; however, its structural performance is primarily governed by tensile behavior, fracture resistance, and energy dissipation. This study presents a comprehensive mechanical characterization of a steel fiber-reinforced UHPC incorporating a slag–limestone powder-based binder system with a low water-to-binder ratio of 0.15 and steam curing at 90 °C for 48 h. The experimental program comprised compressive strength, flexural behavior, split and direct tensile response, impact energy absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and an assessment of specimen size and geometry effects. The UHPC achieved mean compressive strengths of approximately 209 and 218 MPa at 7 and 28 days, respectively, in 75 × 150 mm cylindrical specimens, indicating only modest strength development after the initial steam-curing period. Smaller cube specimens exhibited higher nominal compressive strengths, reaching approximately 221 and 227 MPa at 7 and 28 days, respectively, demonstrating a measurable but limited specimen-size effect. Flexural testing produced an average strength of 33.1 MPa and a stable post-peak response, although no strain hardening in bending was observed. Split tensile strength reached approximately 16.1 MPa, exceeding that of conventional normal-strength concrete by more than four times. Direct tensile tests demonstrated an intrinsically ductile response, with tensile strengths above 10.9 MPa and strain capacities of 0.25–0.30%, including a pronounced strain-hardening regime. Under drop-weight impact loading, specimens absorbed more than 40 J of energy without catastrophic fragmentation. Ultrasonic pulse velocity averaged 5344 m/s, indicating a dense and well-integrated microstructure. Overall, the results confirm that the investigated UHPC functions as a fracture-resistant structural composite in which tensile capacity, fiber-controlled crack bridging, and energy dissipation govern performance across multiple loading modes.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.3390/sci8090248
Additional Information:	This peer-reviewed article provides an integrated experimental assessment of the strength, tensile ductility, fracture resistance and impact performance of a steel-fibre-reinforced UHPC containing slag and limestone powder. Its use of a lower-clinker binder system and its focus on durable, resilient construction materials support sustainable infrastructure development. Environmental benefits are discussed, although a formal carbon or life-cycle assessment was not undertaken.
Keywords:	ultra-high-performance concrete; mechanical behavior; tensile ductility; fracture resistance; impact energy absorption
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2026
Dates:	Date Publication status 3 September 2026 Accepted 7 September 2026 Published
School, department or research centre:	School of Computing and Engineering
Keywords:	ultra-high-performance concrete; mechanical behavior; tensile ductility; fracture resistance; impact energy absorption
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/15299
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 13: Climate Action

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