What Special Designs Are Needed to Achieve UHPC's Fire Resistance? An Analysis of Key Technologies and Optimization Strategies

In the field of building materials, fire resistance is one of the core indicators for measuring material safety. For new materials such as UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), which are widely used in high-end buildings, fire-resistant design is a key element of engineering safety. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group deeply understands the close connection between material performance and building safety. Through technological innovation and process optimization, it provides systematic solutions for the fire resistance of UHPC.

### Core Challenges and Design Logic of UHPC Fire Resistance

With its ultra-high strength, durability, and design freedom, UHPC has become the material of choice for high-end settings such as grand theaters, landmark buildings, and commercial complexes. However, its performance stability at high temperatures has always been a focal point of industry attention. Ordinary concrete is prone to spalling in high-temperature environments due to the evaporation of internal moisture, while UHPC's high densification, though enhancing mechanical properties, also intensifies thermal stress concentration. Therefore, special design must work synergistically across three dimensions—material mix ratio, structural optimization, and protection systems—to build a triple protection mechanism of "heat resistance - thermal insulation - energy release."

### Key Technology 1: Fire-Resistant Optimization of Material Components

In its UHPC formulation research and development, Qinglong Group achieves a fundamental improvement in fire resistance by adjusting mineral admixtures and fiber types. On one hand, active admixtures such as metakaolin and silica fume are introduced to reduce cement content and minimize internal temperature differences caused by hydration heat; on the other hand, a composite incorporation technology of basalt fibers and steel fibers is adopted—basalt fibers maintain strength at high temperatures, while steel fibers absorb heat through melting, delaying the decline of material strength. Verified by experiments, this formulation enables UHPC to retain over 70% of its compressive strength at 600°C, far exceeding industry standards.

### Key Technology 2: Thermal Stress Release in Structural Design

To address the deformation and cracking of UHPC components at high temperatures, Qinglong's detailed design team innovatively adopted a "multi-cavity honeycomb structure" and "graded pore design." The multi-cavity structure reduces heat conduction area through internal hollow design, while the graded pores use micro-pores of different diameters to vent in an orderly manner at high temperatures, preventing spalling caused by steam pressure accumulation. Taking the light-transmitting UHPC components in the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation project as an example, this design achieved outstanding performance in fire simulation tests—120 minutes without spalling and deformation ≤3mm—and won the AALBORG WHITE Cup UHPC Building Engineering Innovation Award.

### Key Technology 3: Synergistic Effect of the Composite Protection System

For scenarios with extremely high fire resistance requirements, such as super high-rise buildings and large public buildings, Qinglong has launched a composite protection scheme of "UHPC + fireproof coating + insulation layer." The outer layer uses intumescent fireproof coating, which forms a sponge-like insulating layer when exposed to fire, while the inner side is combined with lightweight insulation materials to build multiple thermal barriers. This system has been successfully applied to the GRC/UHPC composite curtain wall of the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project. Testing shows that its fire resistance rating reaches 3 hours, meeting the Class I fire protection standard, and the project won the Silver Award of the GRC Building Engineering Innovation Award.

### Qinglong Group's Full-Chain Assurance Capabilities

As a national high-tech enterprise and a participant in formulating UHPC/GRC industry standards, Qinglong Group strictly controls fire resistance throughout the entire process, from material research and development and detailed design to production and construction. Relying on an annual production capacity of 600,000 square meters at its Nanning, Guangxi production base, it uses automated production lines to ensure formulation precision; in the construction phase, BIM technology is used to simulate temperature field distribution and optimize fire-sealing treatment of installation joints. In addition, Qinglong provides after-sales maintenance services, including regular fire resistance testing and coating renewal, offering long-term assurance for building safety throughout its entire life cycle.

Improving the fire resistance of UHPC represents a deep integration of materials science and engineering technology. Based on 28 years of industry experience, Qinglong Group continuously drives breakthroughs in UHPC's safety performance through material innovation, structural optimization, and system synergy, providing designers and owners with high-end building material solutions that combine aesthetics and safety. In the future, Qinglong will continue to uphold its mission of "Creating Beautiful Architecture" and explore more possibilities in the fire protection field of new building materials.