What Tools Are Required for Lifting Large-Size UHPC Curtain Wall Panels and Key Technical Points Explained

Analysis of Tools Required and Key Technical Points for Hoisting Large-Size UHPC Curtain Wall Panels

In the field of contemporary architectural curtain walls, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is becoming the material of choice for landmark building envelope design thanks to its ultra-high strength, excellent durability, and outstanding formability. However, the hoisting of large-size UHPC curtain wall panels (typically weighing over 500kg per panel and exceeding 3m×2m in size) is both a critical stage for showcasing material performance and a severe test of an engineering team's technical capabilities. As an industry-leading enterprise with 28 years of experience in the detailed design, manufacturing, and construction of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group, drawing on the practice of hundreds of large-scale projects, systematically outlines the tool selection and core technical points for hoisting large-size UHPC curtain wall panels, providing professional solutions for designers, owners, and construction units.

I. Tool System Configuration for Hoisting Large-Size UHPC Curtain Wall Panels

Given the high density and pronounced brittleness of UHPC material, hoisting tools must meet three requirements: "precise load-bearing, flexible protection, and intelligent control." The core tool configuration includes:

1. **Specialized Hoisting Equipment**: Select 30-50 ton truck cranes or crawler cranes equipped with intelligent hoisting systems featuring force sensors to monitor hoisting force changes in real time and prevent panel cracking caused by momentary overloading. For super high-rise projects, tower crane auxiliary hoisting equipment with fine-tuning functions must be configured to achieve millimeter-level positioning accuracy.

2. **Custom Lifting Spreads and Connectors**: Use four-point balanced lifting spreaders forged from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, with lifting point positions optimized through BIM simulation to ensure uniform stress on the panels. The connection points between spreaders and panels must be fitted with elastic gaskets dedicated to UHPC to reduce stress concentration; gasket hardness should be controlled between Shore 80-90A with a thickness of no less than 5mm.

3. **Auxiliary Positioning Devices**: Equip 3D laser scanning positioning instruments (accuracy ±1mm) and wireless remote-controlled leveling systems, combined with magnetic temporary fixing devices, to achieve dynamic posture adjustment during hoisting. For double-curved UHPC curtain wall panels, adjustable support frames must be additionally provided, with PU material on the frame surface to protect the panel surface.

II. Key Technical Points for UHPC Curtain Wall Panel Hoisting

Through benchmark projects such as the Century Plaza renovation project on Nanjing East Road and the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center, Qinglong Group has developed a comprehensive UHPC hoisting technical system. The core points include:

1. **Pre-Hoisting Preparation Techniques**: (1) Conduct 1:1 hoisting simulation tests to verify the matching between spreaders and panels as well as stress deformation; (2) Use BIM technology for clash detection of hoisting paths to avoid obstacles such as building structures and surrounding pipelines in advance; (3) Provide special training for hoisting personnel, who may only take up their posts after passing assessments; training covers UHPC material properties, emergency handling procedures, and more.

2. **Hoisting Process Control Techniques**: (1) Maintain a low, steady lifting speed of 0.1m/s during hoisting, and conduct a balance check when the panel is 30cm above the ground; (2) Set up a double-insurance hoisting system in which the main hoist and auxiliary spreaders work in sync to ensure safety redundancy in case of accidents; (3) Suspend hoisting operations when wind force exceeds force 6 or on rainy days; when the temperature is below 5℃, UHPC panels must be preheated (to 15-20℃).

3. **Installation Precision Control Techniques**: (1) Adopt the "3D positioning + gasket adjustment" installation process, using laser line projectors to achieve X/Y/Z three-axis positioning with errors controlled within ±2mm; (2) Reserve 5-8mm expansion joints at the seams between adjacent panels, filled with elastic sealant (modulus ≤0.4MPa) to accommodate thermal deformation; (3) Conduct 3D scanning acceptance within 24 hours after installation, generating point cloud data to compare with the design model.

4. **Quality Assurance Techniques**: (1) All hoisting connectors undergo tensile testing at 1.5 times the design load, with test results archived for reference; (2) RFID chips are embedded inside UHPC panels to record information across the entire process of production, hoisting, and installation, enabling quality traceability; (3) Special emergency response plans are formulated, with emergency cutting tools and spare spreaders equipped to handle unexpected situations.

As a national high-tech enterprise and a participating unit in formulating the industry standard "Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Exterior Wall Panels," Qinglong Group has always regarded technological innovation as its core competitiveness. By integrating full-chain advantages in detailed design, manufacturing, and construction installation, Qinglong has successfully completed overseas projects such as the UHPC curtain wall of the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia and the GRP skylight roof of the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia, fully validating its technical strength in the field of hoisting large composite material components. In the future, Qinglong will continue to focus on the innovative application of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, providing solid technical support for creating more "beautiful architecture."