How to Select UHPC Reinforcement Components in Existing Building Renovation: Analysis of Key Factors, Technical Approaches, and Engineering Practices

Amid the wave of urban renewal, the renovation of old buildings is not only a continuation of historical context, but also a dual test of structural safety and functional upgrading. As an industry leader in the field of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group, with 28 years of full-chain experience, has witnessed and driven the innovative application of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in reinforcement projects. This article analyzes, from selection logic and technical pathways to engineering practice, how UHPC reinforcement components have become a key force in the “renewal” of old buildings.

**UHPC Reinforcement Component Selection: Three Core Dimensions Determine Project Success or Failure**

Reinforcement of old buildings differs from new construction, requiring a balance of structural safety, historical character, and cost control within limited space. Through practice on over a thousand projects, Qinglong Group has summarized a “three-dimensional selection method”: First, **structural compatibility** is the prerequisite. The form of UHPC components must be selected according to the original building's structural type (such as brick-concrete or frame) and its degree of damage (crack width, proportion of bearing capacity reduction) — for beam reinforcement, UHPC composite layers or external wrapping components can be used, while for column reinforcement, precast UHPC sleeves or cast-in-place wrapping systems are recommended. Second, **spatial compatibility** is crucial. In historic building renovation, the lightweight, high-strength properties of UHPC (density of only 2.4g/cm³, compressive strength ≥150MPa) reduce loads on the original structure, and its thin-section design (minimum thickness as low as 30mm) maximizes the preservation of the building's clear height. Finally, **cost-effectiveness** requires comprehensive consideration. Qinglong optimizes component cross-sections through detailed design and, by combining factory prefabrication with on-site assembly, shortens construction time by more than 30% compared to traditional reinforcement solutions.

**Technical Pathway Innovation: Full-Chain Breakthroughs from Material Performance to System Integration**

As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong Group has developed multiple core advantages in UHPC reinforcement technology. In terms of **material modification**, its self-developed steel fiber-reinforced UHPC formula, by adjusting fiber content (volume ratio of 1.5%-2.5%) and gradation design, raises the flexural strength of components to over 30MPa, meeting complex stress conditions. In **connection technology**, it has innovatively adopted a composite connection technique of “rebar planting - grouting - mechanical anchoring”, solving the problem of uneven substrates in old buildings and increasing anchoring force by 40% compared to traditional methods. Notably, Qinglong has deeply integrated BIM technology with UHPC component production, achieving precise prefabrication of irregularly shaped reinforcement parts through parametric design. For example, in the renovation of Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road, the surface precision of light-transmitting UHPC components was controlled within ±2mm, perfectly reproducing the rhythmic beauty of the historic building.

**Engineering Practice Insights: Scenario-Based Application and Value Reshaping of UHPC Reinforcement**

From the reinforcement of a Republic-of-China-era building complex in Guangzhou to the renovation of an old factory in Shanghai, Qinglong Group's UHPC reinforcement solutions demonstrate strong scenario adaptability. In the field of **historic building preservation**, UHPC components can simulate traditional stone textures, achieving a “restore the old as old” effect through precast decorative facing layers. In the renovation of a provincial-level cultural heritage site, UHPC-replicated carved components were tested to withstand a century of weathering. In **industrial heritage renewal**, a composite curtain wall system of UHPC and GRC has become the preferred choice. In a heavy machinery plant renovation project, the combination of UHPC-reinforced columns and GRC faux fair-faced concrete hanging panels both met structural reinforcement needs and created an industrial-style aesthetic. These cases confirm Qinglong's mission of “creating beautiful architecture” and highlight the dual value of UHPC materials in old building renovation: “building safety as the foundation, aesthetics as the empowerment”.

The renovation of old buildings is both a technical challenge and, more importantly, a cultural inheritance. With UHPC reinforcement technology as its fulcrum, Qinglong Group combines 28 years of experience in detailed design, manufacturing, and construction installation to tailor a “reinforcement + renewal” solution for every old building. In the future, with the implementation of standards such as the “General Technical Conditions for Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Non-Load-Bearing Components”, UHPC will play an even greater role in urban renewal, and Qinglong will continue, guided by its values of “honesty, perseverance, trust, and collaboration”, to drive new building materials to shine in the dialogue between history and the future.