Physico-mechanical properties of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete

The effect of different curing temperatures (from 20 to 40 °C) on the compressive strength and hydration of Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) have been investigated between 3 and 28 days, using the loss on ignition test (LOI) and thermogravimetry. The results have shown that the ultimate degree of hydration is affected by the curing temperature. An reversed correlation with temperature was observed beyond 7 days. Increased temperature initially accelerated the hydration due to the evolution of the material microstructure and thus the mechanical performance, especially compressive strength, increased. In long term, however, a decreased rate of hydration and compressive strength were observed. Finally the degree of hydration was calculated on the basis of the thermogravimetric and loss on ignition.