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High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications
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High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 32318

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Styliani Papatzani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, 28 Ag. Spyridonos Street, 122 43 Aigaleo, Greece
Interests: nanoparticles; supplementary cementitious materials; cement; special concretes; fibre reinforced polymers; characterization; structural design; heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Engineers and material scientists are pushing the boundaries of science and technology in an effort to build higher and stronger and more sustainable, robust, durable structures, adaptable to a variety of conditions, climate change, heritage compatibility, etc. For this, tailor made cement and concrete mixes are designed, developed, tested and launched in the market or in specific projects. This Special Issue celebrates all the recent advances in the cement and concrete industry with respect to high- and ultra-high performance concrete, its properties, developments and applications. Laboratory studies, industrial studies, case studies on materials, their properties and the structural performance of new or repaired structures and elements are welcome in all related areas; these include pre-fabrication elements; nanomodified, fiber-reinforced, 3D-printed, recycled materials; fabric or polymer concretes and cements; high- and ultra-high strength concretes. Let us make this Special Issue a great celebration of the recent advances in cement and concrete design and innovation. 

Dr. Styliani Papatzani
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pre-fabrication
  • self-consolidating concrete
  • nanomodified concrete/cement
  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • 3D-printed concrete/cement
  • self-sensing/self-healing concrete
  • recycled aggregate concrete
  • architectural/fair faced concrete
  • high- and ultra-high strength concrete

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4126 KB  
Article
Prestressing and Self-Healing of Fiber-Reinforced and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Using Shape Memory Alloys
by Alexander Chen and Bassem Andrawes
Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071289 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 390
Abstract
A large number of existing studies show that fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) have improved crack resistance relative to conventional concrete, but there is limited research on further advancing the structural performance of FRC and UHPC through prestressing and self-healing. This [...] Read more.
A large number of existing studies show that fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) have improved crack resistance relative to conventional concrete, but there is limited research on further advancing the structural performance of FRC and UHPC through prestressing and self-healing. This study addresses this knowledge gap by introducing shape memory alloy (SMA) bars as reinforcement. Existing studies on using SMA bars for prestressing or healing are focused on conventional concrete. Thus, this study experimentally evaluates SMA bars in FRC and UHPC. Small-scale flexural specimens are fabricated for this purpose. Three mix designs are considered, corresponding to mortar, FRC, and UHPC. The prestrained and embedded SMA bars are employed in two different ways. The first method is to activate the SMA to prestress the concrete, thereby delaying cracking. The second is to activate the SMA after cracks develop, thereby closing and “healing” the cracks. Additionally, different heating methods are considered. Heating with electricity is compared to heating by electromagnetic induction to study their efficiency and safety. The experimental results validate the use of SMA for prestressing the different types of concrete. The concept of healing is also validated for all three types of concrete. Reductions in crack width as high as 80%, 90%, and 84% are measured in the mortar, FRC, and UHPC specimens, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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19 pages, 5734 KB  
Article
Structural Performance of High-Strength Self-Compacting Lightweight Concrete Beams Considering the Shear Contribution of Steel Fibers
by Tian-Feng Yuan, Qian Zhang, Chenxi Lv, Kai Yan, Yuanbo Song and Zaibo Zhou
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16050901 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 303
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of replacing the minimum shear reinforcement in high-strength self-compacting lightweight concrete (HSLC) beams with hooked-end steel fibers at a volume fraction of 0.75 vol.% and to quantitatively assess the contribution of steel fibers to the shear [...] Read more.
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of replacing the minimum shear reinforcement in high-strength self-compacting lightweight concrete (HSLC) beams with hooked-end steel fibers at a volume fraction of 0.75 vol.% and to quantitatively assess the contribution of steel fibers to the shear capacity of the beams. Six HSLC beam specimens were tested to determine load-bearing behavior and failure modes under different reinforcement schemes, including beams without steel fibers or stirrups, beams reinforced with either steel fibers or stirrups, and beams incorporating both steel fibers and stirrups. The experimental results indicate that replacing the minimum shear reinforcement with 0.75 vol.% hooked-end steel fibers increased the flexural capacity, ultimate deflection, and energy absorption capacity by 2.5%, 7.8%, and 16.1%, respectively, thereby confirming the feasibility of using hooked-end steel fibers as a substitute for minimum shear reinforcement. The fiber shear capacity, calculated from experimental data, was compared with various prediction equations. Models containing the fiber factor demonstrated better agreement with test results, showing a minimum difference of 10.1%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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32 pages, 6365 KB  
Article
Flexural Behavior of One-Way Lightweight UHPC-NC Superimposed Sandwich Slabs
by Ziqian Ma, Hao Li, Tian Su, Tianyu Wu, Jiaqi Li and Jing Zhu
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030641 - 3 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 434
Abstract
A novel type of ultra-high-performance concrete–normal concrete (UHPC-NC) superimposed sandwich slab is introduced, which eliminates the need for conventional longitudinal reinforcement. This sandwich slab consists of a prefabricated thin UHPC layer at the bottom, a cast-in-place NC layer at the top, and an [...] Read more.
A novel type of ultra-high-performance concrete–normal concrete (UHPC-NC) superimposed sandwich slab is introduced, which eliminates the need for conventional longitudinal reinforcement. This sandwich slab consists of a prefabricated thin UHPC layer at the bottom, a cast-in-place NC layer at the top, and an extruded polystyrene foam core that provides both acoustic and thermal insulation. The resulting lightweight composite sandwich structure is integrated with web walls reinforced by a three-dimensional truss reinforcement system. The flexural performance is examined through four-point bending tests and compared with that of a fully UHPC sandwich slab of identical structural configuration and casting progress. Relative to the fully UHPC slab, the UHPC-NC slab demonstrates superior flexural structural integrity, significantly reduces costs and improves construction efficiency. The ductility coefficient of the UHPC-NC slab reaches 3.23, which is superior to the UHPC slab. This indicates that it has a stronger collaborative working ability with the rebars and the compressed concrete. Comprehensive analytical, numerical, and experimental investigations into the flexural behavior of the proposed UHPC-NC sandwich slab yield accurate evaluation of cracking and ultimate load capacities, thereby offering valuable guidance for the engineering application of this innovative superimposed sandwich slab system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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20 pages, 4245 KB  
Article
Effect of Steel Fiber on First-Cracking Behavior of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete: New Insights from Digital Image Correlation Analysis
by Xing Lu, Lei Tu, Chengjun Tan and Hua Zhao
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101727 - 20 May 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2099
Abstract
The first-cracking behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is critical for the functionality and durability of its structures. However, determining the first-cracking strength by the linear limit point is challenging due to the nonlinear behavior before the initial crack. This study utilizes an improved [...] Read more.
The first-cracking behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is critical for the functionality and durability of its structures. However, determining the first-cracking strength by the linear limit point is challenging due to the nonlinear behavior before the initial crack. This study utilizes an improved Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique to detect cracks and directly determine the first-cracking strength. The effect of steel fiber length, volume fraction, diameter, and shape on the first-cracking behavior was evaluated through direct tensile testing. Results indicate that incorporating steel fibers can enhance the first-cracking strength of UHPC to varying extents, ranging from 26.07% to 121.31%. Specifically, the length and volume fraction of steel fibers significantly affect the first-cracking strength, whereas the diameter and shape have minimal impact. The shape of steel fibers can influence the initial crack pattern due to stress concentration in deformed fibers. On the other hand, the inclusion of steel fibers can also negatively impact the first-cracking strength due to the introduction of air voids. Finally, considering both the positive and adverse effects of steel fibers, an updated predictive model for the first-cracking strength is proposed based on regression analysis of the experimental data. The proposed model can accurately predict the first-cracking strength of UHPC, fitting well with the existing data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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26 pages, 14012 KB  
Article
Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs
by Ahmed A. Hassoon, Rafea F. Hassan and Husam H. Hussein
Buildings 2025, 15(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020209 - 12 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3745
Abstract
Flat slabs supported by columns without beams are widely used in construction owing to their economy and efficiency. However, brittle punching shear failure at slab–column connections can cause progressive collapse. UHPC has a higher tensile strength than NSC and, when appropriately reinforced with [...] Read more.
Flat slabs supported by columns without beams are widely used in construction owing to their economy and efficiency. However, brittle punching shear failure at slab–column connections can cause progressive collapse. UHPC has a higher tensile strength than NSC and, when appropriately reinforced with steel fibers, exhibits strain hardening after initial cracking. These properties make Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) ideal for durable, thin, low-cost bridge decking and heavily loaded elements and an excellent choice for improving slab–column connections that have experienced punched shear failure. This study explores the impact of UHPC layers on the punching shear behavior of reinforced concrete slabs. Sixteen slab specimens were tested with variations in UHPC layer thickness, placement, and column shape. Results demonstrate that incorporating UHPC layers significantly enhances punching shear resistance, increasing ultimate load capacity by 27–91% compared to reference specimens. Notably, thicker UHPC layers (75 mm) and bottom-placed layers exhibited superior performance in terms of ductility and toughness. Square columns outperformed circular ones in resisting punching shear. Additionally, thicker layers reduced initial stiffness, while debonding issues in 25 mm layers adversely affected structural performance. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing UHPC configurations to improve the punching shear resistance of concrete slabs, offering promising solutions for high-load structures in modern construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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21 pages, 18128 KB  
Article
Predicting the Compressive Strength of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Based on Machine Learning Optimized by Meta-Heuristic Algorithm
by Yuanyuan Li, Xinxin Yang, Changyun Ren, Linglin Wang and Xiliang Ning
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051209 - 24 Apr 2024
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4408
Abstract
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a recently developed material which has attracted considerable attention in the field of civil engineering because of its outstanding characteristics. One of the key factors in concrete design is the compressive strength (CS) of UHPC. As one of the [...] Read more.
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a recently developed material which has attracted considerable attention in the field of civil engineering because of its outstanding characteristics. One of the key factors in concrete design is the compressive strength (CS) of UHPC. As one of the most potent tools in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) can accurately predict concrete’s mechanical properties. Hyperparameter tuning is crucial in ensuring the prediction model’s reliability. However, it is a complex work. The purpose of this study is to optimize the CS prediction method for UHPC. Three ML methods, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN), are selected to predict the CS of UHPC. Among them, the RF model demonstrates superior predictive accuracy, with the testing dataset R2 of 0.8506. In addition, three meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, particle swarm optimization (PSO), beetle antenna search (BAS), and snake optimization (SO), are utilized to optimize the prediction model hyperparameters. The R2 values for the testing dataset of SO-RF, PSO-RF, and BAS-RF are 0.9147, 0.8529, and 0.8607, respectively. The results indicate that SO-RF exhibits the highest predictive performance. Furthermore, the importance of input parameters is evaluated, and the findings prove the feasibility of the SO-RF model. This research enriches the prediction method of the CS of UHPC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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13 pages, 6067 KB  
Article
The Influence of Excitation Method on the Strength of Glass Powder High-Strength Cementitious Materials
by Bixiong Li, Xin Wei, Zhibo Zhang and Bo Peng
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030569 - 21 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1784
Abstract
Recycling economy and the re-utilization of solid waste have become important parts of sustainable development strategy. To improve the utilization rate of waste glass, glass powder high-strength cementitious material (GHSC) was prepared by replacing part of the cement in the cementitious material with [...] Read more.
Recycling economy and the re-utilization of solid waste have become important parts of sustainable development strategy. To improve the utilization rate of waste glass, glass powder high-strength cementitious material (GHSC) was prepared by replacing part of the cement in the cementitious material with ground waste glass powder. Firstly, the effect of glass powder particle size on the flexural and compressive strength of GHSC was investigated by the gray correlation method, and the optimal grinding time was obtained. Additionally, the effect of the magnitude of steam curing temperature and the length of steam curing time on the compressive strength and flexural strength of GHSC was investigated, and the mechanism of the effect of the curing regime on the strength was explored by examination of the microstructure. Finally, to simplify the curing process of GHSC, the effects of Ca(OH)2 and Na2SO4 as excitation agents on the compressive strength and flexural strength of GHSC at different dosing levels were compared. The results showed that glass powder with a particle size of less than 20 μm would improve the compressive strength and flexural strength of the specimen. Steam curing can significantly improve the flexural strength and compressive strength of GHSC specimens. At a steam curing temperature of 90 °C for a duration of three days, the compressive strength and flexural strength of GHSC increased by 76.7% and 98.2%, respectively, compared with the standard curing specimens. Ca(OH)2 and Na2SO4 as excitation agents significantly enhanced the compressive and flexural strengths of GHSC under standard curing conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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Review

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36 pages, 6845 KB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review of the Advances, Manufacturing, Properties, Innovations, Environmental Impact and Applications of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC)
by Gregor Kravanja, Ahmad Rizwan Mumtaz and Stojan Kravanja
Buildings 2024, 14(2), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020382 - 1 Feb 2024
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 17493
Abstract
The article presents the progress and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), a revolutionary material in modern construction that offers unparalleled strength, durability, and sustainability. The overview includes the historical development of UHPC, covering its production and design aspects, including composition and design methodology. [...] Read more.
The article presents the progress and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), a revolutionary material in modern construction that offers unparalleled strength, durability, and sustainability. The overview includes the historical development of UHPC, covering its production and design aspects, including composition and design methodology. It describes the mechanical properties and durability of UHPC and highlights recent innovations and research breakthroughs. The potential integration of multifunctional properties such as self-heating, self-sensing, self-luminescence and superhydrophobicity, is explored. In addition, advances in nanotechnology related to UHPC are addressed. Beyond the actual material properties, the article presents an environmental impact assessment and a life-cycle cost analysis, providing an insight into the wider implications of using UHPC. To illustrate the environmental aspects, the determination of CO2 emissions is explained using three numerical examples. Finally, various applications of UHPC are presented, focusing on the construction of buildings and bridges. By synthesizing the above-mentioned aspects, this review paper captures the dynamic landscape of UHPC and serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers in the field of construction materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High- and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: Properties, Developments and Applications)
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