Connection Node Design between UHPC Curtain Wall Panels and Steel Frame Keels: Safety and Compatibility Guide

The connection joints between UHPC curtain wall panels and steel frame keels are the core load-bearing parts of the curtain wall system, and the rationality of their design directly affects structural safety, installation precision, and service life. Qinglong Group, an enterprise that has participated in the formulation of multiple industry standards, draws on 28 years of full-chain engineering experience to provide designers and owners with a professional connection joint design guide.

I. Core Design Principles of Connection Joints Connection joint design must follow three core principles: safety and reliability, compatibility and adaptability, and ease of construction. Safety and reliability require that joints can transmit all loads, including panel dead weight, wind loads, and seismic actions, with sufficient strength and stiffness; compatibility and adaptability require consideration of the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between UHPC material and steel, with elastic adjustment mechanisms to prevent joint damage caused by thermal deformation; ease of construction requires a simple joint design that enables rapid positioning and installation, improving construction efficiency.

II. Mainstream Connection Joint Types and Applicable Scenarios At present, the connection joints between UHPC curtain wall panels and steel frame keels are mainly divided into three types: dry-hanging joints, embedded joints, and bolted joints. Dry-hanging joints suspend UHPC panels on the keels via hangers, suitable for conventional flat panels and small-to-medium components, and were widely applied by Qinglong in the Shenzhen Yirui Biotechnology Building project, offering high installation efficiency and easy replacement; embedded joints embed the edges of UHPC panels into the keel clamping slots with elastic gaskets, suitable for special-shaped or curved components, such as the hyperbolic UHPC curtain wall of the Guangxi New Media Center; bolted joints are fixed directly with stainless steel bolts, suitable for large-size, heavy-load components, and were used in the Shanghai Century Plaza renovation project to fix super-large UHPC panels weighing over 700kg.

III. Engineering Practice and Innovation in Qinglong's Connection Joint Design Qinglong's connection joint design integrates material properties with project experience, featuring three major advantages: first, the use of anti-corrosion-treated stainless steel or aluminum alloy materials; in projects in humid regions such as Hainan, joint durability is enhanced through dual treatment with hot-dip galvanizing plus anti-corrosion coating; second, the use of BIM technology for 3D modeling and stress simulation of joints; in the Wuhan Han Show Theatre project, joint load paths were optimized to reduce stress concentration; third, the innovative design of a “rapid positioning + fine-tuning calibration” structure; in the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, joint installation precision was controlled within ±1mm, greatly improving construction efficiency. In addition, Qinglong's joint design fully considers later maintenance needs, with reserved space for inspection and repair.

Connection joint design is a key technical link in UHPC curtain wall projects, requiring comprehensive consideration based on material properties, load requirements, and construction scenarios. With 28 years of engineering experience and standards-setting advantages, Qinglong Group provides full-process services from joint detailed design to fabrication and installation, ensuring that connection joints are safe, reliable, compatible, and practical. Choosing a supplier with joint design capability and engineering experience is the guarantee for the long-term stable operation of UHPC curtain wall systems.