Cracks in the tensile zone of a UHPC beam are supposed to be extremely fine under service conditions (see figure below) to inhibit the ingress of water and chloride ions and realize the terrific durability of UHPC.
Type X HiPer steel fibers are specifically designed to enable this type of behavior. Compared to competing steel fibers, which have a smooth surface, Type X’s patterned surface dramatically improves microcracking behavior. This has an added benefit: it also greatly increases ductility.
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