A comparison of existing analytical methods to predict the flexural capacity of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) beams

The obtained results through the experiments were, then, used to validate the Finite Element (FE) model. Comparing the numerical and experimental results indicates that generally, the proposed numerical model can predict the structural behavior of the UHPC beams reasonably. Hence, the validated FE model was employed as a reference point to evaluate the existing analytical approaches to calculate moment capacity of UHPC beams. A series of large-scale beams with different geometries and reinforcing details were numerically simulated, and the results were compared with the results obtained through the analytical methods. The results showed that some of existing methods can predict the ultimate moment capacity of the UHPC beam with an acceptable accuracy.