A review of structural simulation of reinforced ultra-high performance concrete and high-performance fiber-reinforced cement-based composite members

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC) are a class of material that are gaining popularity due to their enhanced performance and damage tolerance which make them promising for seismic applications where energy dissipation is crucial. Extensive experimental and numerical studies have been carried out to understand the performance of UHPC and HPFRCC structural components as well as to recognize the influence from different parameters such as matrix tensile strengths, reinforcement ratios, and loading conditions. This review paper intends to provide a comprehensive summary of numerical simulation works performed to simulate structural response for seismic applications and other structural engineering uses. The simulation works are categorized based on their computational complexity. The paper concludes with key points such as the use of computationally efficient concentrated plasticity models to capture global component responses such as peak loads, initial stiffness, energy dissipation, pinching, and opting for detailed modeling approaches such as continuum models when local responses such as reinforcement strains or failure mechanism are required to perform parametric analysis. Suggestions for future work includes the integration of shear–flexure interaction in fiber-based models, developing steel models that account for necking, and incorporation of initial flaws in continuum models.