Kingsley Lau, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University; Fatemeh Ali Akbari, Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University

presentation begins:  4:17
Q & A begins:  49:00

Documents:
PDF of presentation slides: UHPC_Columns_Presentation July 2025

Description:
This presentation provides a summary of the work at FIU related to the use of UHPC in bridge columns. UHPC is an advanced cementitious material that allows the use of smaller and more durable concrete columns. Intuitively, when a member is in compression, the use of a smaller amount of steel fibers could be a possibility. In current practice, two percent steel fiber by volume is used in UHPC mixes. This research project examines the possibility of using a smaller amount of steel fibers for the use of UHPC in concrete columns, enhancing the economy of using UHPC in concrete columns. Additionally, the durability aspects of UHPC as used in the columns are discussed.

Presenters:

Kingsley Lau, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Florida International University
email:  kilau@fiu.edu

Fatemeh Ali Akbari
Ph.D. Student
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Florida International University

Presentation Graphics:

Figure 1.  Test Setup

Figure 2.  Crack propagation: Specimen U3 (0.5% steel fiber) under axial and cyclic loading

Figure 3.  Damage mode: Specimen U4 (No steel fiber)