Achieving Continuous Stone Veining Effect on Large UHPC Panels: Qinglong's Process Innovation and Practice

The continuous stone grain effect of large UHPC panels combines the texture of natural stone with the performance advantages of UHPC, making it a popular choice for high-end buildings. Its realization depends on precise process replication and innovation. Qinglong Group, an expert in stone-like effects, draws on 28 years of engineering experience to explain the core implementation path of the continuous stone grain effect.

I. Core Technical Logic of the Continuous Stone Grain Effect Achieving the continuous stone grain effect requires solving three core problems: grain continuity (no breaks within a single panel or between panels), texture authenticity (simulating the texture and color of natural stone), and durability (no fading or cracking over long-term use). The core logic is to replicate natural stone grain through molds, combined with precise pigment ratios and surface treatment, to achieve unity of “form, color, and texture”. In the Third Front Construction project in Panzhihua, Sichuan, Qinglong successfully achieved a large-area continuous stone grain effect with a realism rate of over 95%.

II. Three Core Processes: Balancing Replication and Optimization Qinglong adopts a full-process technique of “mold grain capture - precise pigment ratio - surface texture enhancement”. The first step is mold grain capture: 3D scanning is used to obtain continuous grain data of natural stone, which is replicated 1:1 with polyurethane soft molds or steel molds to ensure complete grain details; the second step is pigment ratio: natural mineral pigments are selected and gradationally blended according to the stone color series, with a dedicated dispersant added to ensure uniform color and achieve a natural transition of the stone grain; the third step is surface texture enhancement: after forming, light sandblasting or acid pickling is applied to increase surface roughness and simulate the feel of natural stone, followed by treatment with a penetrating protective agent to enhance durability.

III. Key Guarantees for Large Panel Applications: Jointing and Stability The continuous stone grain of large UHPC panels (≥3m×2m) requires additional solutions for joint grain alignment and dimensional stability. Qinglong uses BIM technology to plan panel grain layouts in advance, ensuring seamless grain connection at joints; shrinkage compensation is reserved during mold making to avoid grain misalignment caused by UHPC forming shrinkage. In the Dongting Lake Museum project, Qinglong achieved continuous stone grain for 8,800 square meters of stone-like UHPC curtain wall panels, with joint grain alignment error ≤1mm, earning high recognition from the client. In addition, the stone grain effect passed weather resistance testing with no obvious fading after 5,000 hours of artificial aging.

The continuous stone grain effect of large UHPC panels relies on advanced mold technology, precise pigment ratios, and scientific process control. With its long-term technical accumulation in stone-like effects, Qinglong Group has achieved stone grain effects with continuous grain, authentic texture, and strong durability. Choosing a supplier with process innovation capability and engineering experience is the key to the perfect realization of the continuous stone grain effect on large UHPC panels.