Coarse synthetic fibers (PP and POM) as a replacement to steel fibers in UHPC: Tensile behavior, environmental and economic assessment

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has excellent compressive strength and ductility. Nevertheless, the extensive utilization of UHPC has been impeded by factors including the exorbitant cost, substantial carbon emissions, and vulnerability to corrosion associated with steel fibers. This study explores an innovative approach by introducing polypropylene fibers (PPF) and polyoxymethylene fibers (POMF) as replacements for steel fibers (SF) in the preparation of hybrid fiber-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete (HUHPC), with a total fiber content of 3% vol. The influence and mechanism of different PPF/POMF replacement ratios for SF on the flowability, compressive performance, and tensile behavior of HUHPC were investigated. An axial tensile static constitutive model for HUHPC considering the PPF/POMF replacement ratio was established, and a comprehensive environmental benefit assessment index and economic benefit assessment index considering mechanical performance were proposed. The results showed that using PPF and POMF with low modulus as replacements for high-modulus SF significantly improved the flowability of HUHPC. Notwithstanding there is a decrease in compressive and tensile strength of HUHPC resulting from the utilization of low-modulus and low-strength PPF and POMF as substitutes for SF, it modified the axial tensile stress-strain behavior of conventional UHPC and notably improved its tensile toughness. The established axial constitutive model for HUHPC in this study effectively predicted the tensile stress-strain behavior of HUHPC. Importantly, the comprehensive environmental assessment index reveals that HUHPC offers superior environmental and economic benefits compared to traditional UHPC, leading to substantial cost reductions. The development of HUHPC through fiber hybridization presents a promising strategy for the low-carbon and cost-effective production of UHPC, holding significant implications for the broader adoption and application of UHPC.