Hiromi Fujiwara

Masanori Maruoka

Oudomsak Siphavanh

Ryosuke Otsuka

Utsunomiya University Academic Information Repository

STUDY ON PROPERTIES OF ULTRA-HIGH-STRENGTH FIBER-REINFORCED 
CONCRETE CONTAINING ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT AND BLAST 
FURNACE SLAG WITH VARIOUS FINENESS 
Oudomsak Siphavanh1), Hiromi Fujiwara2), Masanori Maruoka and Ryosuke Otsuka. 
Utsunomiya University 
7-1-2, Yoto, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan. Fax: (028)689-6209
e-mail1): mt166426@cc.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp. Graduate school of Utsunomiya University,
Japan 
e-mail2):fhiromi@cc.utsunomiya-u.ac.jp. Department of Civil Engineering, Utsunomiya
University, Japan 
Abstract 
This paper is presenting a research on properties of ultra-high-strength fiber-reinforced 
concrete (UFC), containing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and blast furnace slag (BFS) 
having various fineness. The compressive strength of ordinary UFC is more than 150 N/mm2, 
and it has high toughness and durability. However, UFC has a problem with its workability 
due to the high viscosity. And in order to achieve its performance, it is necessary to use 
special cement and cure at high temperature for long time. The purpose of this study is to 
improve the workability of UFC and to achieve its performance by using OPC normal 
temperature. The main materials used are OPC, BFS powders with several levels of fineness, 
silica fume and other inorganic powders such as Wollastonite and Gypsum. The effect of 
these materials and their mix proportions on the properties were examined. Based on the 
results, the fresh properties of UFC were much improved and hardened performances were 
also improved by using OPC at normal temperature. 
Keywords: Ultra-hight-strenght fiber-reinforced concrete, Blast furnace slag, Fineness and 
Workability. 
1. INTRODUCTION
Ultra-high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete (UFC) has excellent strength, achieving compressive
strength more than 150 N/mm2, high toughness due to the addition of fibers, and excellent durability 
with respect to chloride ion penetration and freeze-thaw cycles. These properties have attracted 
attention in recent years, and it is expected that the usage of UFC can significantly reduce 
construction costs by achieving smaller member cross sections, reducing the quantity of materials, and 
improving durability. 
Most UFC is typically steam-cured at high temperature and for long hours to exhibit high strength 
and durability, therefore UFC members are generally precasted in a factory. This factory production 
ensures its quality, but a series of this process including steam curing, transport, and installation 
increases its construction cost. In order to expand the usage of UFC, it is required to be able to cast 
and cure UFC on-site1], 2]. 
In Japan, a new type of UFC, whose performance is achieved without steam curing, has been 
developed1]. However, this method requires a special cement which contains high percentage of C3S. 
Therefore, this type of UFC has not been widely used yet. 
Based on this background, this study evaluated the effect of powder composition of UFC on its 
fundamental characteristics. 
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2. FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES OF ULTRA HIGH STRENGTH MORTAR
CONTAINING FIBER, ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT AND BLAST FURNACE
SLAG POWER WITH VARIOUS FINENESS
2.1 Outline of tests 
The characteristics of UFC mixed fibers were investigated in this section. The fresh and 
hardened properties of UFC containing steel fiber, ordinary Portland cement and blast-
furnace slag powder, which have different Blane specific surface area, were evaluated. 
2.2 Materials 
Table 1 shows the materials used in this study. The binders were ordinary Portland cement, silica 
fume, anhydrous gypsum, wollastonite and blast furnace slag whose Blane specific surface area are 
8000, 12000 and 20000 cm2/g. The purpose of using wollastonite and anhydrous gypsum is 
respectively to improve pumpability and to improve strength at early age.  
Table 2 shows the properties of the fiber. 
2.3 Test conditions 
Table 3 presents the powder compositions. In these tests, the water-to-powder ratio (W/P) was 17%, 
and the sand binder ratio (S/P) was 30%. In order to improve strength of mortar, anhydrous gypsum 
and silica fume were mixed at 5% and 10% respectively. Wollastonite was mixed to ordinary Portland 
cement at an inner volume ratio of 10% in order to improve pumpability3].  
The blast furnace slag fine powder was mixed at 7%. The mixing combination of these blast furnace 
slag with different Blane specific surface area is shown in table 4. Fiber containing ratio was 
2.0vol%4]. A 10 litter capacity Omni type mixer was used for mixing. 
2.4 Blending and mixing method 
A 10 litter capacity Omni type mixer was used for maxing. First, only the powder and fine aggregate 
were added and mixed for 30 s, then water and supper plasticizer were added and mixed for 10 min. 
An antifoaming agent was then added and mixed for 1 min. The addition of the antifoaming agent is 
to increase the bending and compressive strength. 
Table 1: Materials 
Materials Type Blane (cm2/g) Symbol 
Density 
(g/cm3) 
Binder 
Ordinary Portland cement 3340 OPC 3.16 
Blast furnace slag 
8000 BS8 2.91 
12000 BS12 2.91 
20000 BS20 2.91 
Wollastonite - WA 2.91 
Anhydrous gypsum 3320 AG 2.90 
 silica fume 150000 SF 2.25 
Fine aggregate  silica sand - S 2.61 
Water Tap water - W 1.00 
Chemistry admixture Super plasticizer - SP 1.10 Defoamer - DF 1.00 
Table 2: Properties of the fibers used 
length (mm) Diameter (mm) Tensile strength (MPa) shape 
Steel fiber 13.0 0.16 2000over straight 
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 Table 3: Powder compositions 
U*: OPC=90vol%, WA=10vol% 
Table 4: Breakdown of blast-furnace slag in powder composition 
2.5 Test items and methods 
2.5.1 Fresh property tests 
(1) Mortar flow test
A mortar flow test was carried out in accordance with “JIS R 5201 Physical Testing Methods for
Cement.” The spread of the test specimen when not dropped is taken as the mortar flow value. 
(2) JP funnel test under high pressure
The discharging time from JP-funnel under high pressure was measured. This test was previously
proposed by Fujiwara H., et al as a test for evaluating thixotropy 5]. The test device is shown in Fig.1.
The test procedure is as follows.
1. The clock was closed and the test sample is poured into JP funnel, then the container is closed.
The pressure valve is adjusted so that the pressure within the container is 0.1 MPa.
2. The clock was opened to allow the test sample to flow out, and the time from the start of the flow
to its finish is measured in steps of 0.1 second.
3. The inside of the container is depressurized and the container is opened to visually confirm that
all the test sample within the funnel is discharged.
Figure 1: Test device of discharge time from JP-funnel under high pressure 
No. Symbol 
Mass ratio(%) 
No. Symbol 
Mass ratio(%) 
U BS AG SF U* BS AG SF 
1 SF5AG5 83 
7 
5 5 3 SF10AG5 78 
7 
5 10 
2 SF5AG10 78 10 5 4 SF10AG10 73 10 10 
No. Symbol 
Mass ratio (%) 
No. Symbol 
Mass ratio (%) 
BS8 BS12 BS20 BS8 BS12 BS20 
ⅰ BS8 7 - - ⅴ BS8BS20 3.5 - 3.5 
ⅱ BS12 - 7 - ⅵ BS12BS20 - 3.5 3.5 
ⅲ BS20 - - 7 ⅶ BS8BS12BS20 2.33 2.33 2.33 
ⅳ BS8BS12 3.5 3.5 - 
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(3) Air content test
The air content test was carried out in accordance with “JIS A 1116 Test Method for Unit Mass and
Air Content of Fresh Concrete by Mass Method.” 
(4) Temperature measurement
A thermometer was used to measure the temperature of the mortar when mixing was completed.
(5) J14 Funnel Test
The discharging time of mortar was measured by using J14 funnel (height: 392mm, upper end radius:
35mm and, lower end radius: 7mm). 
2.5.2 Hardened properties test 
(1) Compressive strength tests
Compressive strength tests were carried out in accordance with “JSCE-G 505-1999 Test Method for
Compressive Strength of Mortar and Cement Paste Using Cylindrical Specimens (φ5×10cm).”
Measurement was carried out 1 day after casting, and at 7 and 28 days after curing in water (20℃) and
hot water (60℃).
(2) Bending strength test
Bending strength tests were carried out in accordance with “JIS A 1106:2006 Test Method for
bending strength test.” Measurement was carried out 1 day after casting, and at 7 and 28 days after
curing in water (20℃) and hot water (60℃) by using cuboid specimen (4×4×16cm).
2.6 Test results  
Fresh property test result 
Figures 1 and 2 show the test results of fresh properties. In all the mixes, segregation of materials, 
uneven distribution of fiber and occurrence of fiber balls were not observed. 
As shown in figure 1, by comparing test results of specimen containing 10% of AG to those 
containing 5% of AG, flowability of specimen containing 10% of AG is higher. This means that 
flowability is improved by adding anhydrous gypsum.  
And by comparing test results of specimen containing 10% of SF to those containing 5% of SF, 
flowability of specimen containing 5% of SF is higher. Therefore, mixture containing 10% of AG and 
5% SF showed the highest flowability. 
It was found the clear tendency on flowability by blending composition of BS with different 
fineness. Comparing the results of BS8, BS12 and BS20, it is found the tendency that flowability is 
higher when fineness is higher. However, the specimen containing multiple types BS (BS8, BS12 
and/or BS20) did not show clear tendency of flowability. 
From Furnace's close packing theory6], if the difference between average particle size of two kinds of 
powder (D1 and D2) is more than 100 times (D1/D2), third powder should be used with medium 
average particle size(D3) in order to achieve more closed packing. And recommended particle size is 
calculated by following formula. 
𝐷𝐷3 = �𝐷𝐷1 ∗ 𝐷𝐷2  (μm )                                                    (1) 
The average particle size of OPC used in this test is 15.4μm and that of SF is 0.1μm. The difference 
of their particle size is 154 times, so the third powder with medium particle size should be used and 
the recommended size D3 is calculated as 1.24μm. The average particle size of BS is BS8: 4.5μm, 
BS12: 3.7μm and BS20: 1.8μm, respectively. Therefore, the average particle size of BS20 is closer to 
the recommended size, 1.24μm, and this could be the reason why flowability of the specimen using 
BS20 was higher.    
And the specimen containing all of BS (BS8, BS12 and BS20) showed relatively high flowability. 
This is because wide particle size distribution created closer packing situation, which makes it more 
flowable. 
By comparing J14 funnel test results of specimen containing 10% of AG to those containing 5% of 
AG, the discharging time of specimen containing 10% of AG is shorter. Specimen containing 5% of 
AG almost caused clogging, so discharging time could not be measured. 
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In this experiment, the discharging time from a JP-funnel under high pressure could not be 
measured. This is due to the interlocking of fibers while the mixture is discharging.  
From these test results, it is confirmed that the workability of UFC could be improved by adding 
blast furnace slag powder which has fine average particle size and wide particle size distribution. This 
suggests the possibility of casting UFC at a construction site. 
Test results of compressive strength 
  Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the test results of compressive strength. All mixture showed high 
strength more than 150 N/mm2 at 20℃ and at 60℃, mixture of BS8BS12BS20 in SF5AG10 series 
showed highest compressive strength of 227.2 N/mm2. This is considered to be enough compressive 
strength for UFC. Therefore, it is possible to achieve enough compressive strength by using ordinary 
Portland cement and curing at normal temperature. 
Test results of bending strength 
Figure 5 and Figure 6 show the test results of bending strength. All mixture showed high bending 
strength more than 30 N/mm2 at 20℃ and at 60℃, mixture of BS8BS12BS20 in SF5AG10 series and 
BS8BS20 in SF10AG5 series showed high bending strength more than 45 N/mm2. This is also 
considered to be enough bending strength for UFC. Therefore, it is also possible to achieve enough 
bending strength by using ordinary Portland cement and curing at normal temperature. 
3.CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the effect of powder composition of UFC containing ordinary Portland cement and
blast furnace slag powder with different fineness was evaluated and possibility of casting and curing 
UFC at the construction site was investigated. 
Based on the several tests, the following findings were obtained. 
・The flowability of UFC containing more anhydrous gypsum is higher. And it is considered that
much anhydrous gypsum causes some problem for its durability7]. Therefore, it is necessary to
investigate the durability, especially its expansion and shrinkage for a long time.
・The flowability of UFC containing more silica fume is higher. When wollastonite is used in mixes,
the flowability is improved.
・When the fineness of blast furnace slag used in UFC is higher, flowability tends to be higher.
・When the particle size distribution of blast furnace slag is wider, flowability tends to be higher.
・By using steel fibers for UFC containing ordinary Portland cement and blast furnace slag, high
compressive strength could be achieved more than 150N/mm2 and high bending strength more than
30N/mm2at 20℃.
・By curing at 60℃, it can be achieved high compressive strength more than 200N/mm2 and higher
bending strength more than 45N/mm2.
This suggests the possibility of casting UFC at constructing site with achieving the required 
properties for UFC. 
REFERENCES 
[1] H. Kiyama, E. Marutani, T. Hirata: Properties of Ambient Temperature Curing Ultra High
Strength Fiber Reinforced Concrete, 66th JSCE Annual Technical Meeting, V-199, 2011, pp. 397-
398.
[2] H. Takayoshi: Development of UFC from which high strength is obtained ad an early age in
normal temperature environment, Japan Cement Association, No.782, Apr.2012, pp24-28.
[3] Mai Iguchi: Fundamental Properties of Ambient Temperature Cured, Master’s thesis, graduate
school of Utsunomiya University of Japan, 2015.
[4] M.Kurita, T. Shitani, H. Hayashi, K. Yoshitake.,: Properties of High Strength Steel Fiber-
Reinforced Mortar Containing a High Content of Steel Fiber, V-22, No.2, 2011, pp. 307-312.
[5] Fujiwara H., et al.: Development of High Thyxotropic Grout. Construction Materials, ConMat '05
and Mindess Symposium. 26. Vancouver. 2005, CD-ROM.
The 2nd Join Conference of Utsunomiya University and Universitas Padjadjaran, Nov.24,2017
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[6] C. C. Furnas. Grading aggregate –Mathematical relations for beds of broken solids of maximum
density. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 1931,23(9), p.1052-1058.
[7] F.Shikuya, H. hunsuke, M. Hisayuki.,: Relationship between mortar and concrete in DEF
expansion, Proceedings of Japan Concrete Institute, V-30, No.1, 2008, p.723-728.
Figure 1: Test results of Mortar flow            Figure 2: Test results of J14 Funnel Flow Test 
Figure 3: Test results of compressive                      Figure 4: Test results of compressive 
  Strength- 28 days (20℃)           strength- 28 days (60℃) 
Figure 5: Test results of bending   Figure 6: Test results of bending     
   Strength- 28 days (20℃)          strength- 28 days (60℃) 
The 2nd Join Conference of Utsunomiya University and Universitas Padjadjaran, Nov.24,2017
169


STUDY ON PROPERTIES OF ULTRA-HIGH-STRENGTH FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE CONTAINING ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT AND BLAST FURNACE SLAG WITH VARIOUS FINENESS

Siphavanh, Oudomsak

Fujiwara, Hiromi

Maruoka, Masanori

Otsuka, Ryosuke

Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB)

Study on Properties of Ultra-High-Strength Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Containing Ordinary Portland Cement and Blast Furnace Slag With Various Fineness

STUDY ON PROPERTIES OF ULTRA-HIGH-STRENGTH FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE CONTAINING ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT AND BLAST FURNACE SLAG WITH VARIOUS FINENESS

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