UHPC Shaping and Metal Component Integration Technology: Implementation Paths and Application Cases

The combination of UHPC shaping and metal components brings together the textural aesthetics of UHPC and the structural advantages of metal, expanding the expressive boundaries of architectural design. Qinglong Group, with 28 years of integrated UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP service experience, has developed a variety of mature combination methods through technological innovation.

#Mechanical Connection: A Stable and Reliable Fundamental Method Mechanical connection is the fundamental method for combining UHPC shaping with metal components, suitable for most application scenarios. Qinglong Group adopts mechanical methods such as bolt connection, hanger connection, and pin connection to achieve a stable combination of the two. Bolt connection embeds nuts or reserves holes in the UHPC shaping, using stainless steel bolts to fix metal components (such as steel frames and metal decorative parts) onto the UHPC surface or inside it; hanger connection is suitable for exterior wall decoration, with hanger slots reserved on the UHPC shaping—metal hangers are fixed at one end to the base steel structure and clipped at the other end into the UHPC hanger slots; pin connection is used for combining small metal components with UHPC, achieving fixation through metal pins penetrating both. In the UHPC sculpture project of the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, bolt connection was used to embed metal reinforcement parts inside the UHPC, ensuring structural stability without compromising aesthetic appearance.

#Embedded Combination: The Core Solution for Structural Integration Embedded combination is the core solution for achieving structural integration between UHPC shaping and metal components, suitable for scenarios with high load-bearing requirements. During the UHPC shaping production process, Qinglong Group precisely embeds metal components (such as steel frames, steel mesh, and embedded plates) in the mold before pouring the UHPC material. Through the bonding force between concrete and metal as well as mechanical interlocking, a solid integral structure is formed. Embedded combination requires controlling the embedding position precision of metal components with an error of no more than ±2mm; ensuring rust removal treatment on metal component surfaces to enhance bonding with UHPC; and reserving sufficient anchorage length to guarantee load-bearing capacity. The hyperbolic UHPC exterior wall panels of the Guangxi New Media Center achieved a stable combination between the UHPC shaping and the main building structure through embedded steel frames and metal hangers, delivering excellent wind load and seismic resistance performance.

#Adhesive Bonding: An Aesthetics-First Supplementary Method Adhesive bonding is suitable for scenarios with high aesthetic requirements and low load-bearing requirements, achieving seamless bonding without visible traces. Qinglong Group uses specialized structural adhesives (such as epoxy structural adhesives) to bond metal components directly onto the surface of UHPC shaping. Adhesive bonding requires ensuring the UHPC surface is clean and dry, removing dust, oil stains, and other impurities; controlling the application thickness and uniformity of the structural adhesive to ensure full contact of the bonding surfaces; and carrying out curing maintenance after bonding for no less than 24 hours. In the UHPC faux-wood translucent panel project at Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road, Shanghai New World, some metal decorative parts were attached using adhesive bonding, leaving no obvious connection traces on the surface and perfectly preserving the integrity and aesthetic effect of the wood grain.

#Composite Combination: An Optimized Solution for Complex Scenarios For complex application scenarios, Qinglong Group adopts composite methods such as mechanical connection + embedded combination and mechanical connection + adhesive bonding, balancing structural stability with aesthetic effect. For example, the combination of large UHPC artistic shaping with metal support structures uses a composite method of embedded steel frame + bolt connection, where the embedded steel frame ensures overall load-bearing capacity and bolt connection facilitates on-site installation and adjustment; the combination of small metal decorative parts with UHPC shaping uses a composite method of adhesive bonding + pin connection, where adhesive bonding ensures a clean appearance and pin connection enhances stability. The UHPC exterior wall decoration project of the Shenzhen Yirui Biotech Building achieved a perfect connection between the UHPC shaping and metal window frames as well as metal decorative lines through the composite combination method, being stable, reliable, beautiful, and elegant.

There are various methods for combining UHPC shaping with metal components, and the appropriate solution should be selected based on load-bearing requirements, aesthetic needs, and application scenarios. With 28 years of technical expertise, Qinglong Group has achieved the perfect fusion of the two through mechanical connection, embedded combination, adhesive bonding, and composite combination, providing more possibilities for architectural design. Only by choosing a professional UHPC manufacturer can you obtain full-process combination technical support from design to construction, ensuring project quality.