A comprehensive review of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) behaviour under blast loads

Blasts resulted from industrial/residential accidents and deliberate attacks can impose extremely hazardous loading conditions upon nearby structures. The repercussions of these blasts encompass not only direct effects such as blast overpressure and fragments but also indirect outcomes like progressive collapse of structures. In the pursuit of enhanced protection for concrete structures, substantial endeavors have been directed towards developing innovative construction materials with outstanding properties, among which the ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has emerged as a notable representative. Drawing from existing experimental, numerical and theoretical studies, this paper presents an inclusive overview of recent progress in UHPC structural members (slabs, beams and columns) and UHPC-based composite structures (mesh reinforced UHPC, UHPC-filled steel tube and UHPC strengthening of normal reinforced concrete (NRC) structures) in their ability to withstand blast loads. While discussing the exceptional material and structural dynamic performance of UHPC, recommendations are offered for the further research directions in utilising UHPC structures to resist blast loads, which include exploring eco-friendly UHPC, integrating 3D printing technology and employing machine learning analytical methods.