Ultra-high performance concrete: Mix design, raw materials and curing regimes-A review

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a type of novel cement-based composites with ultra-high strength, superior workability and durability. During the past three decades, it has become a new type of construction material with greater application. However, some challenges have not been solved for UHPC in the process of promotion of its wider applications, such as that the preparation method has not been well established or standardized. There still has been wide exploring space for the diversification of raw materials for making UHPC, and the influence of mixing procedure, pouring and curing regimes on the performance of UHPC is still not well understood by the engineering community. Therefore, this review started with the preparation methods of UHPC, discussed the advantages and disadvantages of various mix design methods reported in literature and the problems faced nowadays, and then summarized the characteristics of various raw materials and their influence on the performance of UHPC, subsequently, the influence of mixing procedure on uniformity of UHPC was also discussed. Finally, the effects of pouring temperature and curing systems on the performance of UHPC were elucidated. This paper is expected to promote the application and development of UHPC based on the existing research results.