Evaluation of Test Methods to Characterize Tensile Strength of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a relatively new class of cementitious material that exhibits superior durability and long-term stability, as well as compressive and tensile strength properties when compared to conventional concrete. Currently, several testing methods exist in the literature to evaluate the tensile strength of fiber-reinforced concrete, but there is still a lack of agreement on which method is most suitable for UHPC. This study compares three different test methods to estimate and evaluate the tensile response of a standard UHPC mixture based on experimental testing. The tests include the direct tension test, the doubleedge wedge-splitting test, and the four-point bending test. The test specimens were deconstructed to determine fiber distribution through the depth and along the length of specimens to explain the experimental observations and understand the correlation between fiber distribution and measured tensile strength.