How to Select UHPC Reinforcement Components in Old Building Renovation: Analysis of Key Factors and Practical Strategies

Amid the wave of urban renewal, the renovation of old buildings is not only a continuation of historical context but also a dual reshaping of structural safety and aesthetic value. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in the field of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group deeply understands the decisive role of reinforcement component selection in renovation projects. Combining the material characteristics of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with practical experience, this article analyzes the scientific selection strategies for UHPC reinforcement components in old building renovation from three dimensions: technical adaptability, economy, and construction feasibility.

1. The Core Logic of UHPC Reinforcement Component Selection: Starting from Structural Requirements

Reinforcement requirements in old building renovation are highly diverse and must be precisely matched to the building structure type (such as brick-concrete, frame, or steel structure), the degree of damage, and the renovation goals. With mechanical advantages including compressive strength exceeding 150MPa and an elastic modulus close to that of steel, UHPC demonstrates significant advantages in reinforcing key components such as beams, columns, and slabs. For example, reinforcing flexural members (such as balcony cantilever beams) with UHPC overlay layers can increase load-bearing capacity by 30%-50%; for axially compressed columns, wrapping them with UHPC forms a confinement system that improves ductility. In the renovation project of the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center, Qinglong Group used BIM technology to simulate the stress states of different reinforcement schemes, and ultimately adopted a combination of UHPC precast elements and cast-in-place construction, achieving unity of structural safety and historical character.

2. Key Selection Factors: Balancing Performance, Cost, and Construction Efficiency

1. Structural adaptability first: Select differentiated component forms for different reinforcement scenarios. For existing wall reinforcement, UHPC thin panels (only 20-30mm thick) can be bonded on one or both sides, balancing lightweight design with reinforcement effectiveness; for joint connection areas, UHPC special-shaped components are recommended, leveraging their excellent flowability to achieve precise grouting of complex joints. Qinglong's production base, with an annual capacity of 600,000 square meters, can meet the rapid delivery needs of customized components.

2. Economic optimization strategy: Reduce overall costs through material combinations. For example, GRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) can be used as auxiliary components in non-critical load-bearing areas, complementing UHPC functionally. As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong has developed a UHPC-GRC composite system that reduces costs by 15%-20% compared to pure UHPC solutions, and has been successfully applied to projects such as the renovation of Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road.

3. Construction feasibility assessment: Old building sites have limited space, so modular and lightweight components should be prioritized. Qinglong's detailed design team uses parametric modeling to break down large reinforcement components into standard modules (such as 1.2m×0.8m UHPC cladding panels); combined with specialized lifting equipment, on-site installation efficiency can be increased by 40%. Meanwhile, UHPC's early strength characteristics (80% of design strength at 7 days) can effectively shorten the construction period.

3. Practical Strategies: Full-Chain Service Ensures Implementation of Selection

As a professional manufacturer integrating detailed design, production, and construction installation, Qinglong Group has established a full-process service system ranging from preliminary survey to later maintenance. In a historical building renovation project in Guangzhou, the technical team used 3D laser scanning to obtain data on the building's current condition and, combined with structural verification results, customized a UHPC corbel reinforcement scheme. Adopting a process of factory prefabrication plus on-site grouting, the project avoided excessive disturbance to the original structure while ensuring reinforcement precision. In addition, the industry standard "General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing Components of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)", which Qinglong participated in drafting, provides an authoritative technical basis for component selection.

The selection of UHPC reinforcement components in old building renovation is essentially a deep integration of technical rationality and engineering practice. Building on 28 years of industry experience, Qinglong Group provides designers and owners with integrated solutions from selection to implementation through material innovation, digital design, and full-chain services. In the future, as UHPC continues to make breakthroughs in durability (design service life of up to 100 years) and sustainability (recyclability), its applications in the field of urban renewal will become even broader, helping to fulfill the corporate mission of "creating beautiful architecture".