Ultra-high Performance Concrete

UHPC is a special construction material that is used for many applications, such as façade elements, lightweight roof constructions, pedestrian and motorway bridges, protection panels, structural members in buildings, and for repair and strengthening of damaged concrete structures.

UHPC in comparison to traditional concrete is characterized by a very low water/cement ratio, perfect particles packing, high cement replacement with supplementary cementitious materials (fly ash, silica fume) and application of highly efficient superplasticisers and other additives. Due to the precise material design, the UHPC may obtain the following properties:

• Extremely high strength (5-6 times the normal concrete strength) due to high-density,
• Self-levelling/compacting, able to fill formworks of any shape without flaws,
• Low permeability resulting in superior durability and resistance to severe environmental conditions,
• Possibility of casting very slender and lightweight structures (3-4 cm thick) if non-ferrous reinforcement is used,
• Pumpability and sprayability for repairment and tunnelling works,
• High surface quality meeting the highest requirements related to architectural concrete.

Even though the today’s concrete technology facilitates ready-mix UHPC manufacturing, transport and in-situ cast, UHPC elements are mostly being produced in precast factories where thin and lightweight UHPC elements benefit economic transport and installation. The environmental footprint of UHPC can be further reduced by replacing Portland cement to a high extent with supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and using recycled crushed aggregates without affecting the performance.

We at RISE have expertise in all areas of UHPC and related concrete technology. It is based on long term experience in research and development:

• Mix design of UHPC for specific applications,
• Experimental characterization, testing and certification,
• UHPC thin-walled structures design and manufacturing,
• Numerical simulations of UHPC material and elements,
• Consulting in production and application,
• Environmental and cost assessment through LCA/LCC.