What Work Is Required for Post-Construction Maintenance of UHPC Components and Key Points Analysis

The vitality of a building lies not only in stunning design, but also in its enduring beauty through the test of time. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in the UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials field, Qinglong Group understands that for quality architectural decorative materials to fulfill the promise of a "century-long project," scientific and systematic maintenance is essential. This article focuses on the post-installation maintenance and key points of UHPC components, combining Qinglong's full-process practical experience from detailed design, production and manufacturing, construction and installation to after-sales maintenance, providing professional guidance for designers, owners, and project managers.

### The Core Value of UHPC Component Maintenance: Understanding the Necessity from Material Properties

UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), with its ultra-high strength, excellent durability, and outstanding mechanical performance, has become the material of choice for high-end projects such as grand theaters, commercial complexes, and landmark buildings. However, even "naturally strong" UHPC components require scientific maintenance to extend their service life. During its participation in drafting the industry standard "General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) Components," Qinglong found that neglecting maintenance can lead to surface contamination, accumulated structural stress, and other problems, affecting both the aesthetics and safety of components. Therefore, establishing a systematic maintenance system is key to ensuring UHPC components perform stably over the long term.

### Four Core Tasks in UHPC Component Post-Installation Maintenance

#### 1. Routine Cleaning and Surface Protection: Safeguarding Appearance and Performance

Routine maintenance of UHPC components starts with cleaning. For different application scenarios, Qinglong recommends a "tiered cleaning" strategy: for outdoor components such as exterior wall cladding panels and sunshades, perform surface dust removal quarterly and a thorough cleaning with neutral detergent annually to prevent surface discoloration caused by long-term attachment of acid rain and pollutants; indoor UHPC decorative components (such as the curved walls of commercial complexes) can be cleaned every six months, focusing on removing accumulated dust and localized stains. When cleaning, avoid directly spraying high-pressure water at component joints to prevent sealant aging. In addition, apply specialized protective agents regularly to enhance the impermeability and stain resistance of UHPC surfaces. This process has been validated in the translucent concrete project of the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation undertaken by Qinglong, effectively extending the aesthetic lifespan of the components.

#### 2. Structural Condition Monitoring: The Key to Prevention

As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong emphasizes the concept of "preventive maintenance" and recommends regular structural condition monitoring of UHPC components. Specifically, this includes: checking whether anchoring systems are loose (such as corrosion and displacement of bolts and embedded parts), whether components have cracks (with particular focus on splicing joints and stress concentration areas), and whether the surface shows efflorescence or peeling. For large UHPC curtain walls or landscape components, digital monitoring archives can be established using BIM technology, analyzing component deformation data through comparative 3D scanning. Qinglong has a professional testing laboratory at its production base in Nanning, Guangxi, offering comprehensive performance testing services including flexural strength and elastic modulus, providing data support for maintenance decisions.

#### 3. Joint and Sealing System Maintenance: Preventing Leakage and Structural Damage

Joint treatment is the weak link in UHPC component maintenance, directly related to waterproofing performance and structural safety. Qinglong adopts customized sealing solutions during the construction and installation phase. In later maintenance, focus on checking the degree of sealant aging (such as cracking, hardening, and peeling), and replace promptly when problems are found. For dynamic joints such as expansion joints and settlement joints, ensure their displacement capacity meets design requirements to avoid uneven stress on components caused by temperature changes or structural settlement. In a landmark project in Malaysia, Qinglong effectively solved the problem of sealant aging in tropical climates through regular maintenance of the joint system, ensuring the long-term waterproofing performance of the UHPC exterior walls.

#### 4. Specialized Maintenance in Special Environments: Tailored Solutions

UHPC components in different application scenarios require targeted maintenance. For example, UHPC components in coastal areas need enhanced anti-salt-spray corrosion measures, with anti-corrosion coatings applied regularly; in cold regions, attention should be paid to the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on components, with drainage systems checked before winter to prevent damage to components from water accumulation, freezing, and expansion. As a member of the International GRC Association, Qinglong is familiar with the environmental characteristics of overseas projects. Its UHPC products exported to Australia and Saudi Arabia all come with customized maintenance manuals to ensure stable material performance under different climatic conditions.

### Three Key Points of UHPC Maintenance: Professional, Systematic, Long-Term

1. **Professional Team Support**: UHPC maintenance must be carried out by professionals with knowledge of material properties and structures. Relying on 28 years of after-sales maintenance experience, Qinglong has established a nationwide technical service network, providing full-process services from inspection and assessment to maintenance construction. 2. **Systematic Recording and Feedback**: Establish maintenance archives, recording in detail the content of each maintenance, problems found, and corrective measures, forming a closed-loop management of "inspection-maintenance-feedback." This is also Qinglong's core practice in project management as a national "specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative" enterprise. 3. **Long-Term Maintenance Awareness**: Incorporate maintenance into the whole life-cycle management of projects, avoiding the misconception of "emphasizing construction while neglecting maintenance." In cooperation with real estate groups such as Poly and China Overseas, Qinglong provides long-term maintenance plans to ensure UHPC components remain in optimal condition at all times.

As a leading enterprise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong has always believed that quality materials + scientific maintenance = lasting architectural value. Through the maintenance points shared in this article, we hope to provide practical references for the industry and help more projects achieve the mission of "creating beautiful architecture." Going forward, Qinglong will continue to uphold the values of "honesty, perseverance, trust, and collaboration," providing customers with full-chain solutions from detailed design to after-sales maintenance, so that every UHPC component can withstand the test of time and become an eternal carrier of architectural aesthetics and engineering quality.