The cost of construction materials can be just as important as the quality. Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) checks all the boxes for quality, but many still worry that the price is too high. The question on everyone’s mind seems to be: “When will the cost of UHPC come down?”
More than 30 years of research and recent commercial success have proven the promise of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC). Its strength and durability have brought UHPC into the spotlight for public agencies and private firms seeking superior alternatives for concrete construction.
Conventional concrete is all around us for a reason. Its workability and performance have been honed by construction crews for generations, used for everything from bridges to building columns to airport runways to two-seater park benches. The success of concrete is built on industry know-how and methods that work.
India is now a global hub for new construction. Home to nearly 1.4 billion people, the subcontinent continues to expand its footprint in terms of economic activity and development initiatives. India’s small rural villages are transitioning into cities, and existing urban centers are transforming into modern metropolises.
Are you ready for nationwide adoption of Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC)? We’re at an inflection point in the concrete construction industry. Engineers, contractors, and regulators
Urban infrastructure projects have unique challenges relative to greenfield construction. Working in tight areas, accommodating legacy structures, and designing for high traffic are common constraints
Concrete testing companies refer to the ASTM 1856 standard when testing UHPC concrete. However, in practice, we have seen situations where even slight deviations from the standard
Construction mobilization enables contractors to begin a project right. Equipment, trailers, and the laydown yard are set up for the job ahead before the inevitable
Every draw request comes with a guarantee that the project meets spec, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, tests fail. Sometimes, work needs
Concrete Performance | Test Method | Curing Conditions at CTL Group | Age | Test Results |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C 39 | 73°F/100% RH | at 1 day | 9,050 psi |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C 39 | 73°F/100% RH | at 3 days | 11,140 psi |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C 39 | 73°F/100% RH | at 14 days | 16,000 psi |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C 39 | 73°F/100% RH | at 28 days | 21,000 psi |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C 39 | 73°F/100% RH | at 56 days | 23,000 psi |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C 1856 | Controlled Curing | at 28 days | 25,500 psi |
| Length Change of HHC | ASTM C 157 | 73°F/50% RH | 28 days (26 days Dry) | -0.033% |
| Chloride Penetrability | ASTM C 1202 AASHTO T277 | 73°F Limewater 190°F water 5 days; 190°F air 2 days; 73°F water until testing | 28 days 28 days | ≤100 (Negligible) ≤100 (Negligible) |
| ** Flexural Strength | ASTM C 1609 | 73°F Limewater | 28 days | L/600 = 2800 psi or better |
| ** Flexural Strength | ASTM C 1609 | 73°F Limewater | 28 days | L/150 = 1500 psi or better |
| Direct Tensile Strength | AASHTO T397 | 73°F Limewater | 28 days | 1000 psi or better |
| Modulus of Elasticity | ASTM C 469 | 73°F Limewater | 28 days | 6800 ksi |
| Abrasion Resistance, Ave Loss | ASTM C944 | 73°F Limewater | 58 days | 0.016 oz |
| Freeze Thaw Resistance RDM | ASTM A 666 | 73°F Limewater | 28 days | 600 cycles, 96% |
Notes:
*Testing results confirmed by independent laboratory CTL
Group. Results are based on laboratory mixes.
**Data per UCF Material Study 5/10/2022
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Client: Cor-Tuf UHPC CTL Project No: 059330
Date: 1/20/2020
UHPC achieves its superior performance through a dense nano-scale matrix that is far less permeable than conventional concrete. This matrix is combined with steel fiber reinforcement, which provides exceptional ductility and crack resistance.
Though exact formulations and results vary by producer, UHPC generally incorporates a blend of Portland cement, sand, supplementary cementitious materials, chemical admixtures, and fibers – resulting in a material dramatically stronger, tougher, and longer lasting than traditional concrete.
| Feature | Cor-Tuf UHPC | Conventional Concrete | Other UHPCs |
| Compressive Strength | 25,000+ psi | 4,000–6,000 psi | 18,000–22,000 psi |
| Ease of Placement | ✅ Standard Equipment | ✅ Standard Equipment | ❌ Specialized Tools |
| Bonding & Ductility | Extreme | Low | Moderate |
| Freeze-Thaw Resistance | 1000+ Cycles | 20–80 Cycles | 300 Cycles |
| Chloride Permeability | Near Zero | High | Low |
| Lifespan | 100+ Years | 25–30 Years | 50–60 Years |
