Both the discrete and continuous particle packing models are used to design UHPC, but the influences of a water film covering the particle surfaces on the compactness of the particle system were not considered in these models. In fact, the water film results in a certain distance between solid particles (DSP), which affects the compactness of the particle system, especially for cementitious materials with small particle sizes. In the present study, the mixture design method for UHPC was proposed based on the Fuller distribution model modified using the DSP. Then, the components of cementitious materials and aggregates were optimized, and the UHPC matrices with high solid concentrations were obtained. The results showed that the solid concentration, slump flow, and compressive strength of the UHPC matrix reached 77.1 vol.%, 810 mm, and 162.0 MPa, respectively. By replacing granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) with quartz powder (QP), the flexural strength of the UHPC matrix was increased without reducing its compressive strength. When the steel fiber with a volume fraction of 1.5% was used, the slump flow, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the UHPC reached 740 mm, 175.6 MPa, 9.7 MPa, and 22.8 MPa, respectively. After 500 freeze-thaw cycles or 60 dry-wet cycles under sulfate erosion, the mechanical properties did not deteriorate. The chloride diffusion coefficients in UHPCs were lower than 3.0 × 10-14 m2/s, and the carbonation depth of each UHPC was 0 mm after carbonization for 28 days. The UHPCs presented ideal workability, mechanical properties, and durability, demonstrating the validity of the method proposed for UHPC design.
Keywords: UHPC; durability; mechanical property; mixture proportion design; modified Fuller distribution model.