Validating synergistic effects of hybrid nanomaterials and progressive collapse behaviour of UHPC beams: Do particle packing theory, experiments and finite element analysis strongly interconnected?

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), a unique cementitious composite that exhibits an ideal solution for structural reclamation. The significant objective is to develop UHPC with binary nanomaterials (nanosilica and nano clay) using Modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing theory and examine effect of nano hybridization in flexural and shear behaviour of reinforced UHPC beams. In addition, findings such as load-deflection behaviour and crack pattern are validated with Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS). The synergistic effect of hybrid nanomaterials enhances formation of hydration products that accounts for 27%, 30.7%, and 49% improvement in compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength in 2% nanosilica and nano clay (D2 mix Id). Moreover, flexural UHPC beam (D2 F) and shear UHPC beam (D2 S) withstand 9.5% and 10% higher ultimate load than control (A0 F and A0 S mix). The Finite Element Analysis predicts ultimate load in very minimum discrepancy percentage that ranges from 1 to 3%.