Recent developments in pullout behaviors and tensile properties of ultra-high-performance concrete reinforced with steel fiber

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has gained significant attention as a construction material owing to its exceptional mechanical properties and durability. Steel fibers are widely utilized as a reinforcement material for UHPC. Achieving excellent bond and tensile performances is considered to be a predominant issue for the utilization of steel fiber reinforcement. This comprehensive review presents recent research progress on the bond and tensile properties of steel-fiber-reinforced UHPC. First, an overview of the experimental methods for evaluating pullout and tensile performance is provided. Subsequently, the factors influencing these properties are discussed in detail. The review then comprehensively examines several analytical models for steel-fiber-reinforced UHPC, ranging from traditional approaches to innovative methods such as artificial neural network models, genetic algorithms, deep learning methods, inverse analysis, and micromechanical damage models. Furthermore, the correlations between pullout behavior, tensile performance, and flexural strength are explored in detail. Finally, the review addresses essential considerations and summarizes various modification techniques for improving the pullout and tensile performances, including physical and chemical methods of modifying the steel fiber surface and UHPC matrix. This review serves as a valuable reference for researchers and engineers in relevant fields, promoting further research and application of steel fiber-reinforced UHPC.