Comparative study on flexural properties of ultra-high performance concrete with supplementary cementitious materials under different curing regimes

This study investigated the effects of curing regimes (standard, hot water, and steam curing) on mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with different supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The flowability, compressive strength, flexural load-deflection relationship, ultimate flexural strength, and toughness of UHPC mixtures with 0, 20%, 40%, and 60% of either ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) or fly ash, by the mass of cement, were evaluated. Test results indicated that the increase in GGBS or fly ash content had limited or negative influence on the compressive strength of UHPC in terms of curing regime type . For the flexural strength, there existed an optimal SCM content, which was 40% for GGBS and 20% for fly ash. Excessed this dosage could result in a drop in flexural strength and toughness. The hot water and steam curing significantly improved the flexural properties. However, prolonging the standard curing over 28 d led to comparable flexural properties as those under hot water and steam curing showed. The production of UHPC with appropriate GGBS or fly ash content with adequate standard curing, therefore, offers an effective way to obtain satisfactory flexural properties.