Optimization design of ultra-fine supplementary cementitious materials ultra-high performance concrete mix proportion based on orthogonal experiment

Traditional ultra-high performance concrete has problems such as high viscosity, high early-age autogenous shrinkage, and high heat release during early hydration. In recent years, with the development of ultra-fine grinding technology, ultra-fine supplementary cementitious materials (USCMs) have received widespread attention, which have higher pozzolanic activity than traditional supplementary cementitious materials. This study investigated the effects of water-binder ratio, silica fume content, and ultra-fine supplementary cementitious materials (USCMs) content on the workability, mechanical properties, and early-age autogenous shrinkage of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) based on orthogonal experiments. In orthogonal experiments, multiple factors and levels were introduced, and a combination of range analysis, variance analysis, and multi-factor interaction analysis were combined to determine the optimization level range of each factor. The results showed that the water-binder ratio had the greatest impact on the fluidity, compressive strength, and autogenous shrinkage of UHPC; The content of silica fume had the greatest impact on the flexural strength of UHPC. Compared with the control group, USCMs can significantly improve the workability and rheological properties of UHPC, reduce early hydration heat release, and inhibit the autogenous shrinkage of UHPC. •USCMs increase the compressive strength of UHPC.•USCMs improve the rheological properties of UHPC.•USCMs can decrease early-age autogenous shrinkage of UHPC.•USCMs can significantly reduce the early hydration heat release of UHPC.