State of the art review on ultra-high-performance fiber reinforced concrete properties standardization and structural applications

Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) represents one of the most advanced construction materials, characterized by extremely high strength, compact microstructure, and higher resistance to environmental degradation. With optimized particle packing and fiber reinforcement, UHPFRC commonly achieves compressive strengths of 150–200 MPa and tensile strengths of 10–35 MPa. Autoclave curing or heat treatment can further increase the compressive strength to above 250 MPa. The dense matrix, typically with porosity below 6% and water absorption under 1%, provides exceptional durability against chloride ingress, freeze–thaw cycles, and sulfate attack. Increasing the fiber volume fraction from 1 to 3% generally enhances post-cracking toughness and flexural strength by 40–80%. Conversely, an excessively low water-to-binder ratio (< 0.18) or improper curing can increase autogenous shrinkage by up to 30%. Despite these achievements, widespread application remains constrained by high initial cost, limited codified guidance, and inadequate field experience. This review critically analyzes the mechanical, durability, and constitutive behavior of UHPFRC, the influence of mix design and curing parameters, existing codes and standards, and representative case studies. It further identifies the gaps in current design frameworks and proposes directions for future research aimed at facilitating the large-scale use of UHPFRC in durable and resilient infrastructure.