How to Mitigate UHPC Autogenous Shrinkage Through Material Design: A Study on Mechanism Analysis and Optimization Strategies

In the field of contemporary architectural decoration, UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), with its outstanding mechanical properties and design expressiveness, has become the material of choice for high-end projects such as landmark buildings and commercial complexes. However, autogenous shrinkage, as a key technical bottleneck restricting its application, has long troubled designers and engineering contractors. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group, drawing on detailed design, manufacturing, and engineering practice, thoroughly analyzes the mechanism of UHPC autogenous shrinkage and proposes systematic material optimization solutions, providing expert-level technical support for the industry.

The essence of UHPC autogenous shrinkage is the volume deformation of cement-based materials during hardening, caused by the combined action of chemical shrinkage and capillary pore negative pressure. Traditional concrete alleviates shrinkage by adding expansion agents or optimizing the water-cement ratio, but UHPC, due to its ultra-high cementitious material content and low water-binder ratio, requires solving the problem from the perspective of material system reconstruction. Verified through 200+ engineering cases, Qinglong's technical team found that autogenous shrinkage control must balance three core indicators—material flowability, mechanical strength, and volume stability—which is highly consistent with Qinglong's corporate philosophy of "professional innovation and environmental protection."

Material Design Optimization: Suppressing UHPC Shrinkage Stress at the Source
For the autogenous shrinkage problem, Qinglong adopts a "multi-dimensional coordinated control" strategy: introducing nano-scale silica fume and ultra-fine mineral powder into the cementitious system, reducing porosity through particle gradation optimization to lower capillary pore negative pressure; and innovatively applying a new type of ettringite-based expansion agent, using the micro-expansion effect of its hydration products to compensate for shrinkage—testing shows this can reduce the 28-day autogenous shrinkage value by more than 35%. Meanwhile, basalt fiber and steel fiber composite reinforcement technology is adopted, with fibers randomly distributed to form a three-dimensional support network that effectively suppresses micro-crack propagation. This technology has passed the Guangdong Province Science and Technology Achievement Appraisal.

In the mix proportion design stage, relying on the experimental platform of its provincial-level R&D center, Qinglong developed a "dedicated low-shrinkage UHPC formula": by adjusting the molecular structure of the water reducer, high water retention at low viscosity is achieved, preventing excessively rapid early moisture evaporation; a slow-release water-retaining agent is introduced to extend the hydration reaction cycle, making the shrinkage process more gradual. This formula was successfully applied in the renovation project of Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road, where light-transmitting UHPC components were delivered with zero cracks, winning the Silver Award of the AALBORG WHITE Cup UHPC Construction Engineering Innovation Award. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123

Full-Chain Control: A Quality Closed Loop from Laboratory to Construction Site
As a national-level high-tech enterprise integrating detailed design, manufacturing, and construction installation, Qinglong runs autogenous shrinkage control through the entire process. In the detailed design stage, BIM technology is used to simulate shrinkage deformation under different ambient temperatures and humidity levels, optimizing component grid divisions and anchoring joints in advance; in production, a "gradient curing process" combining steam curing and natural curing is adopted to slowly release internal stress and ensure shrinkage stability before products leave the factory. During construction and installation, three-dimensional laser scanning positioning technology achieves "zero-error" component assembly, avoiding additional stress caused by forced installation.

Qinglong's full-chain advantages are fully demonstrated in the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project: for the irregular GRC/UHPC composite curtain wall, through customized material formulas, phased curing, and modular installation, the overall shrinkage deformation was controlled within 0.3mm/m, far exceeding industry standards. The project won the Silver Award of the First GRC Construction Engineering Innovation Award, demonstrating Qinglong's technical control capability in complex projects.

Faced with the industry-wide challenge of UHPC autogenous shrinkage, Qinglong Group, building on 28 years of technical accumulation and integrating material innovation with engineering practice, has established a complete solution from mechanism research to practical application. Going forward, Qinglong will continue to fulfill its mission of "creating beautiful architecture" and, relying on the R&D strength of a national "Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative" enterprise and a provincial-level engineering technology center, promote the safe application of UHPC materials in broader fields, providing designers and owners with architectural decoration solutions that combine aesthetic value and structural reliability. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123