Common Types of UHPC Pouring Methods and Construction Key Points Explained

In the field of contemporary architectural decoration, Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is becoming the ideal choice for high-end building skins and components 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 deeply understands the decisive impact of casting techniques on final product quality. This article systematically analyzes common UHPC casting types and their core construction key points, providing professional technical reference for designers and engineering parties.

Technical Classification and Application Scenarios of UHPC Casting Processes

UHPC casting methods must be scientifically selected according to component shape, dimensions, and mechanical requirements. Current mainstream processes include: First, mold casting, suitable for regular components such as flat wall panels and standard profiles, achieving precise forming through steel or composite molds—Qinglong's standardized production line at its Nanning production base adopts this process; Second, spray casting process, designed for complex shapes such as double-curved curtain walls and openwork reliefs, using high-pressure spray guns to simultaneously spray UHPC material and fibers into molds, achieving fine shapes with a minimum curvature radius of 300mm; Third, self-compacting casting, which relies on the material's own fluidity to fill molds and is particularly suitable for components with dense steel reinforcement or irregular cavities—the translucent concrete components in the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation project adopted this technology.

Key Control Points in UHPC Casting Construction

Material mix optimization is the foundation of casting quality. Through the application of 58 patented technologies, Qinglong's R&D Center has established a golden mix ratio range for UHPC materials with a water-binder ratio of 0.16-0.20 and a steel fiber volume content of 2-3%, ensuring an initial mixture flowability of ≥250mm with a 2-hour loss rate of ≤30mm. The mixing process requires a twin-shaft forced mixer, with 30 seconds of dry mixing followed by 2-3 minutes of wet mixing to ensure uniform steel fiber dispersion without agglomeration.

Mold engineering determines forming precision. Qinglong uses BIM technology for parametric mold design; molds for large components use 8mm thick steel plates combined with structural steel frames to ensure stiffness meets the deflection ≤1/500 requirement. Mold surfaces require mirror polishing with errors controlled within ±0.5mm/m, along with properly positioned vent holes and casting points to avoid air bubbles and cold joints.

The curing regime directly affects mechanical properties. Steam curing starts within 4 hours after casting, following a standard process of 2 hours temperature rise (≤20℃/h), 6 hours constant temperature (80-90℃), and 3 hours cooling (≤15℃/h), ensuring 28-day compressive strength ≥150MPa and flexural strength ≥25MPa. For key projects, Qinglong has also innovatively applied carbon fiber electric heating blanket curing technology, achieving zero temperature difference control in winter construction.

Qinglong's Full-Chain Service Ensures Casting Quality Implementation

As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong has built a full-process control system from detailed design to after-sales maintenance. In the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, the technical team used 3D scanning and pre-assembly technology to control installation errors of 1,200 irregular UHPC cladding panels within 2mm; overseas projects, such as a landmark building in Malaysia, adopted modular casting and integral shipping plans, greatly improving on-site installation efficiency.

In the future, with the advancement of the industry standard "General Technical Conditions for Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Non-Load-Bearing Components", UHPC casting processes will become more standardized and refined. Qinglong Group will continue to leverage its 28 years of professional experience, guided by the mission of "Creating Beautiful Architecture", to provide global customers with UHPC solutions that combine technical innovation and engineering reliability, promoting the application of new architectural decoration materials in more landmark projects.