What Gap Width Should Be Reserved for UHPC Panel Splicing: Standards and Construction Key Points

Millimeter-Level Precise Joint Reservation: Achieving the Perfect Balance Between UHPC Architectural Aesthetics and Structural Safety

In the field of contemporary architectural decoration, UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) has become the material of choice for high-end projects such as grand theaters, commercial complexes, and landmark buildings, thanks to its outstanding mechanical properties and design expressiveness. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group understands that the reservation of joint gaps not only affects the overall aesthetics of a building's appearance but also directly impacts structural stability and service life. Drawing on Qinglong's practical experience in participating in the formulation of the industry standard "General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) Components", this article analyzes the scientific joint gap reservation scheme for UHPC panels from the dual perspectives of specification requirements and construction key points.

### Specification Benchmarks for UHPC Panel Joint Gaps: From Material Properties to Industry Standards

The low shrinkage and high elastic modulus of UHPC material determine that joint gap reservation must take into account both thermal deformation and installation tolerances. Based on the industry standards Qinglong participated in drafting and engineering practice, the recommended joint width for conventional UHPC decorative panels is 5-10mm, with the specific value depending on three core factors: first, ambient temperature differences—in cold regions or large-span curtain wall applications, the upper limit should be adopted to cope with thermal stress; second, panel dimensions—UHPC components longer than 6 meters require an additional 1-2mm expansion allowance; third, installation method—joints for dry-hanging installation should be slightly wider than for wet bonding to ensure full sealant filling. Verified through large-scale practice at Qinglong's production base with an annual capacity of 600,000 square meters, this range effectively prevents extrusion cracking caused by joints that are too small and waterproofing risks caused by joints that are too large.

### Full-Process Construction Control: Four Key Points Summarized from Qinglong's 28 Years of Experience

As a national high-tech enterprise integrating detailed design, manufacturing, and construction installation, Qinglong emphasizes that joint control must run through the entire project lifecycle. In the detailed design stage, BIM technology is used to simulate temperature field changes, optimizing joint distribution through parametric modeling; in production, high-precision molds (tolerance ≤0.5mm) ensure flat panel edges, laying the foundation for on-site joining; during installation, 3D laser scanning positioning achieves "zero-tolerance" alignment of adjacent panels; for sealing, silicone structural sealant with strong compatibility with UHPC is selected, combined with foam rod filling to form an elastic buffer layer. In the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation project, Qinglong's team achieved seamless joining of light-transmitting UHPC panels using this process, winning the AALBORG WHITE Cup UHPC Construction Engineering Innovation Award.

### Solutions for Special Scenarios: Strategies from Special-Shaped Components to Extreme Environments

For complex shapes such as double-curved curtain walls in grand theaters and hollow-out reliefs in museums, Qinglong innovatively adopts a solution combining "joint design and structural compensation": setting widened 12-15mm joints at curvature changes, with built-in adjustable metal connectors to absorb deformation. For overseas projects such as Malaysia's hot and humid environment, an additional 2mm allowance is added and weather-resistant sealant is used to ensure a service life of over 20 years. This technical accumulation stems from Qinglong's professional expertise gained through participating in the formulation of the "Technical Standard for Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) Building Applications", reflecting its mission of "creating beautiful architecture".

Although joint gap reservation is a construction detail, it reflects the systematic thinking behind UHPC applications. Qinglong Group, as the vice-chairman unit of the China GRC Association, has always maintained an attitude of "meticulousness and striving for excellence", transforming its 28 years of full-chain experience into practical, implementable technical solutions. Whether it is the cost control that real estate developers focus on or the aesthetic effects that designers pursue, reasonable joint design is the key to achieving the unity of function and art. Only by choosing a supplier with detailed design capabilities and engineering experience can the advantages of UHPC materials be perfectly presented in every detail.