Behavior and analysis of economically reactive powder RC beams

A study for the load deflection behavior of reinforced beams cast using reactive powder concrete RPC - as an ultra high strength concrete type - was executed experimentally and analytically. The experimental program was carried out to study the effect of cement content, using steel fiber and using two types of reinforcement. Results showed positive effect on cracking and ultimate loads of reactive concrete beams due to increasing of the cement content. The ductility of the reactive concrete beams is increased by using steel fibers. An analytical study was performed using a nonlinear computer program based on finite element technique. A comparison between analytical and experimental results was carried out to evaluate the efficiency and the accuracy of the used nonlinear computer program. The computer program results were practically close enough to the experimental results. The numerical analysis with the chosen finite element method presented a good simulation to the RPC beams.