Research on Surface Repair Methods and Applications of UHPC Shaped Components

Keeping Artistic Forms Ever New — UHPC Surface Repair Technology Safeguards Architectural Aesthetics

In contemporary architectural aesthetics, UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) has become the material of choice for high-end projects such as landmark buildings and commercial complexes, thanks to its outstanding mechanical properties and expressive formability. However, complex production processes and installation environments may cause surface defects such as air bubbles, cracks, and color differences, which not only affect aesthetics but may also weaken structural durability. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP, Qinglong Group has been deeply engaged in surface repair technology research, providing reliable solutions for over a thousand projects through scientific methods and engineering practice.

1. Causes and Harms of Surface Damage to UHPC Shaped Components

During production and casting, UHPC components are prone to honeycombing and pitting due to insufficient vibration; collisions during transport and installation may cause edge and corner damage; and long-term exposure to environmental factors such as UV radiation and temperature variations may also lead to surface chalking or fine cracks. These defects not only undermine the visual integrity of building facades—as seen in the surface scratches on translucent UHPC panels in the Nanjing East Road Century Square renovation project—but may also become channels for water penetration, affecting the material's long-term durability. Through research on 100+ projects nationwide, Qinglong's technical team found that standardized repair treatment can extend component service life by more than 30%.

2. Qinglong's Four Core UHPC Surface Repair Technologies

1. Refined Pre-treatment Process: High-pressure water jets combined with specialized cleaning agents remove surface stains, while sandblasting treats shallow defects to ensure adhesion between the repair material and the substrate. For the GRC decorative line repair at the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, this process kept substrate flatness deviation within 0.5mm/m.

2. Customized Repair Material System: Specialized UHPC repair mortar is developed to match the strength (compressive strength ≥150MPa) and color of the original components. By adding nano-grade silica fume and steel fibers, it resolves the shrinkage inconsistency between traditional repair materials and the substrate. In a commercial complex project in Guangzhou, this material achieved a color difference of ΔE≤2 between repaired areas and the original components.

3. Digital Forming Repair Technology: 3D scanning captures component surface data, and CNC engraving creates repair molds to ensure precise restoration of irregular curved surfaces. In the repair of a double-curved UHPC curtain wall at a cultural center in Shenzhen, this technology kept form deviation within ±1mm.

4. Long-lasting Protective Treatment: After repair, silane impregnation agents are applied for surface sealing, forming a breathable waterproof layer that enhances impermeability and weather resistance. Tested by Qinglong's laboratory, this process can reduce the component's chloride ion penetration coefficient by 80%.

3. Full Life-Cycle Services Ensuring Repair Effectiveness

As a national-level high-tech enterprise, Qinglong has established a full-chain service system from detailed design to after-sales maintenance. In the early project stage, BIM technology simulates the stress state of components to preemptively avoid vulnerable areas; the production stage implements "three-inspection" quality control; repair construction is carried out by certified technicians and backed by a 2-year warranty. This closed-loop model of "prevention-repair-maintenance" has been successfully applied in overseas projects such as a UHPC canopy at a Malaysian airport and the curtain wall of a landmark building in Vietnam, earning high recognition from international clients.

Surface repair of UHPC shaped components is not merely a technical issue, but also a safeguard of architectural artistic integrity. Built on 28 years of industry experience, Qinglong Group deeply integrates materials science with engineering practice, using innovative repair technologies so that every architectural work can enduringly showcase the beauty of its design. Going forward, Qinglong will continue to promote the standardization of UHPC repair technology, contributing to the high-quality development of the new-type architectural decoration materials industry.