Transport Characteristics and Corrosion Behavior of Ultra-High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete with the Key Mix Parameters

Abstract

The presence of low-quality coarse aggregates and exposure to aggressive conditions are the two major problems with the durability of concrete. Therefore, an alternative concrete with enhanced properties to prevent fluid and ionic mobility compared to conventional concrete is needed. This study investigated the effects of main mix parameters on the transport characteristics and corrosion behavior of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). A set of 27 UHPFRC mixtures with different combinations of w/b ratio, cement, and silica fume contents, based on a 3³-factorial experiment design, were prepared and tested for water permeability, chloride penetrability, electrical resistivity, chloride profile, and corrosion current density. The results showed that UHPFRC mixtures exhibited excellent durability properties characterized by negligible water penetration (< 15 mm), negligible and very low chloride permeability when the w/b ratio was 0.15 (< 100 Coulombs) and up to 0.2 (< 300 Coulombs), respectively, and very low chloride concentrations at the rebar level (0.03–0.18 wt.%). All resistivity values were within the range of 26.7–78.8 kΩ cm (> 20 kΩ cm) and pH values were 12.41–13.01, indicating the implausible likelihood of corrosion in the UHPFRC mixtures. This was confirmed through the corrosion current density measurements of reinforced UHPFRC specimens after 450 days of chloride exposure, which were below the critical limit for the corrosion initiation of reinforcing steel. Finally, the experimental data were statistically analyzed and fitted for all the listed tests, and models were developed for them using the regression analysis such that regression coefficients were within 0.90–0.99.