Numerical modeling of UHPFRC mechanical behavior based on fibre orientation

The research project describes in this paper propose a methodology providing accurate prediction of the bending behavior of UHPFRC beams. The methodology comprises tensile and bending tests on UHPFRC elements, fibre orientation evaluation in those elements, and finite element calculations to reproduce the bending behaviour. An image analysis program was developed to calculate the average fibre orientation found in specimens. The program allowed the identification of correlations between UHPFRC tensile properties and fibre orientation in dogbone specimens, and the proposition of an empirical formulation. Then, bending tests and fibre orientation measurements were carried out on UHPFRC beams of various sections and reinforcements. Fibre orientations found in beams were converted in UHPFRC tensile properties with the empirical formulation. Finally, finite element calculations based on beams tensile properties led to accurate predictions of the mechanical behavior (strength and deflection) of UHPFRC beams.