What Special Designs Are Required to Achieve UHPC Fire Resistance — Analysis of Key Technologies and Design Strategies

In the field of modern architecture, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has become the preferred material for landmark buildings, high-end commercial complexes, and other applications thanks to its outstanding mechanical properties and durability. However, the performance stability of UHPC materials in high-temperature environments has always been a focus of industry attention. Qinglong Group, with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP, draws on its practical experience in participating in the formulation of the industry standard "General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing Components of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)" to analyze the key pathways for achieving UHPC fire resistance from three dimensions: material mix optimization, structural design innovation, and composite protection system construction.

1. Material System Optimization: Enhancing UHPC High-Temperature Potential at the Source

The fire resistance of UHPC depends first on the composition design of the material itself. Qinglong Group builds a high-temperature-resistant matrix by adjusting the type and dosage of steel fibers and optimizing the mix of mineral admixtures. In steel fiber selection, a composite blending technology of copper-plated micro steel fibers and basalt fibers is adopted, which effectively suppresses matrix cracking caused by fiber oxidation and expansion at high temperatures; by adding nano-scale silica and ultra-fine fly ash, a denser hydration product structure is formed, enabling the material to retain more than 70% of its compressive strength even at 600°C. This mix design has been successfully applied in the translucent concrete project of the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation, which won the Silver Award of the first UHPC Construction Engineering Innovation Award (AALBORG WHITE Cup).

2. Structural Construction Innovation: Endowing Components with Passive Fire Protection Capability

At the component design level, Qinglong Group innovatively adopts "gradient functional layer" and "hollow cavity" structures. For key components such as exterior wall cladding panels, the outer layer is designed as a 5-8mm thick high-temperature-resistant protective layer, while the inner layer is a lightweight thermal insulation core material; the interface transition zone is optimized through BIM technology to achieve a smooth transfer of the temperature gradient. For landscape components such as UHPC benches and sculptures, a composite structure of an embedded metal skeleton and a UHPC shell is used, with the air layer blocking heat conduction; testing shows that components can achieve a fire resistance rating of 1.5 hours in standard fire resistance tests. This design approach is in line with the "component construction fire protection" concept in the GRC building application technical standard that Qinglong participated in compiling.

3. Composite Protection Technology: Building a Full-Lifecycle Fire Protection Barrier

As a national high-tech enterprise integrating detailed design, manufacturing, and construction installation, Qinglong Group focuses on ensuring the fire resistance of UHPC components throughout the entire process. In the production stage, a process combining steam curing and natural curing is adopted to reduce internal micro-cracks in the material; in the construction stage, 3D laser scanning positioning technology is used to ensure that the installation accuracy error of fire protection construction joints is ≤2mm; in the after-sales maintenance system, surface fire-resistant coatings of UHPC components are regularly inspected and repaired. This full-chain control model has enabled Qinglong UHPC products to perform excellently in overseas projects in high-temperature and high-humidity environments such as Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, fully verifying the reliability of its fire-resistant technology.

Improving the fire resistance of UHPC materials is a system integration of materials science, structural engineering, and construction technology. With 58 patented technologies and more than 20 years of engineering practice, Qinglong Group integrates its mission of "Creating Beautiful Architecture" into technological innovation. Through the coordinated design of materials, structure, and protection, it provides designers and owners with UHPC solutions that combine safety performance and aesthetic value. In the future, as industry standards continue to improve, UHPC applications in the field of building fire protection will embrace even broader prospects.