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International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management

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ISSN: 3108-1754 (Online)
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Peer Review: Double Blind
Volume 02, Issue 6

Published on: June 2026

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF CRACK PROPAGATION, DUCTILITY, AND FAILURE MECHANISMS OF ULTRA-HIGH-PERFORMANCE FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE GIRDERS

Mridul Bhardwaj

Anil Rajpoot

Department of Civil Engineering, Vikrant University Gwalior
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.329

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Abstract

Ultra-High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) has emerged as an advanced construction material offering superior strength, durability, and crack resistance compared with conventional concrete. This study experimentally investigates the influence of steel fiber volume fraction on crack propagation, ductility, load-carrying capacity, and failure mechanisms of reinforced UHPFRC girders subjected to four-point bending. Four girder specimens containing different steel fiber contents were tested under identical loading conditions. Experimental observations included crack initiation, crack density, load–deflection response, strain development, energy absorption capacity, and ultimate failure behavior. Results indicated that increasing fiber dosage significantly delayed crack initiation, reduced crack widths, enhanced multiple-cracking behavior, and improved post-cracking load resistance. The girder containing 2.0% steel fibers exhibited the highest ductility index and energy absorption capacity while maintaining favorable workability. Failure mode gradually shifted from brittle flexural cracking in low-fiber specimens to ductile fiber pull-out and concrete crushing in high-fiber specimens. The findings demonstrate that steel fibers play a critical role in improving structural performance and durability of UHPFRC girders, making them suitable for bridge and infrastructure applications.

Keywords: UHPFRC, crack propagation, ductility, steel fibers, bridge girders, failure mechanisms.

How to Cite this Paper

Bhardwaj, M. (2026). Experimental Investigation of Crack Propagation, Ductility, and Failure Mechanisms of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete Girders. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(6). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.329

Bhardwaj, Mridul. "Experimental Investigation of Crack Propagation, Ductility, and Failure Mechanisms of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete Girders." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 6, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.329.

Bhardwaj, Mridul. "Experimental Investigation of Crack Propagation, Ductility, and Failure Mechanisms of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete Girders." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 6 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i6.329.

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  • •Published on: Jun 25 2026
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