High Performance Concrete: a Material with a Large Potential

Abstract

High Performance Concrete is a material that was regarded as “academic” for quite a number of years. Now, the profits of this material are becoming to be recognized. The high compressive strength is not the only advantage of this material. The fibers lead to small crack distances and give the material large ductility. The very dense material structure can as well result in high durability. This makes the material suitable for the design of lightweight slender structures with a long service life, as well as surprising architectural structures. On the other hand the material is appropriate for repair of structures, such as bridge decks. First applications show convincingly a large potential. At this moment an international committee (fib Task Group 8.6) works on producing an international recommendation.