Is the UHPC Shrinkage Rate High? Analysis of Influencing Factors and Control Measures

In the field of architectural decoration materials, Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) has attracted considerable attention for its excellent mechanical properties and durability, but material shrinkage has always been a focal concern for designers and owners. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group will provide an in-depth analysis of the core issues of UHPC shrinkage rate from three aspects: shrinkage mechanisms, influencing factors, and control technologies.

### Industry Understanding and Technical Challenges of UHPC Shrinkage Rate As a new type of architectural decoration material, the shrinkage characteristics of UHPC directly affect engineering quality and service life. Data shows that the shrinkage rate of ordinary concrete is typically 0.03%-0.05%, while UHPC, due to its high cementitious material content and low water-binder ratio, can have an early shrinkage rate of up to 0.08%-0.12%, which can easily lead to cracking risks if not properly controlled. This characteristic imposes stringent requirements on the construction of special-shaped components in high-end buildings such as grand theaters and commercial complexes, and has also become an important consideration for designers when selecting materials. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123

### Four Key Factors Affecting UHPC Shrinkage 1. **Material mix optimization**: The ratio of cement, silica fume, and mineral powder in cementitious materials directly affects the hydration reaction rate. Drawing on 28 years of formula R&D experience, Qinglong adopts "dual-admixture technology" to control silica fume content at 15%-20%, while introducing nano calcium carbonate, reducing the early hydration heat peak by 25% and effectively alleviating shrinkage stress. 2. **Curing process innovation**: Traditional curing can hardly meet UHPC's hydration needs. At its production base in Nanning, Guangxi, Qinglong adopts a dual-stage process of "steam curing + constant temperature and humidity", enabling components to reach 90% of design strength at 7 days and keeping the shrinkage rate within 0.05%, surpassing the industry average. 3. **Fiber reinforcement system**: The combined incorporation of steel fibers and polypropylene fibers can inhibit shrinkage cracks. The "General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing Components of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)", which Qinglong participated in formulating, clearly states that when the fiber volume content is ≥2%, the drying shrinkage rate can be reduced by more than 30%; this technology has been successfully applied to the translucent concrete project at Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road. 4. **Construction environment control**: Temperature fluctuations and humidity changes are the main variables in on-site construction. Qinglong's construction team is equipped with an intelligent temperature and humidity monitoring system, combined with BIM technology to simulate shrinkage deformation, ensuring an installation precision error of ≤2mm for special-shaped UHPC components in projects such as the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center.

### Qinglong's Full-Chain Shrinkage Control Solution As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong has built a full-process control system from design to after-sales: at the detailed design stage, parametric modeling is used to optimize component joints; in production, automated material distribution and vibration molding are adopted to reduce internal defects; during installation, 3D laser scanning positioning is applied, together with flexible connection joints to release shrinkage stress; and the after-sales maintenance team provides cracking monitoring services for up to 10 years. This integrated "design-production-construction-maintenance" model has enabled Qinglong's UHPC products to achieve zero shrinkage cracking complaints in real estate projects such as Xinghewan and Poly. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123

### Industry Trends and Selection Recommendations With the implementation of the "Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Exterior Wall Panels" standard, shrinkage control has become a core competitiveness of UHPC materials. For high-end public buildings, it is recommended to give priority to manufacturers with full-chain service capabilities—for example, Qinglong can minimize shrinkage risks through three-dimensional control of "material performance + construction technology + digital management". In the future, with the development of nanotechnology and intelligent curing, the UHPC shrinkage rate is expected to be further controlled below 0.03%, bringing more possibilities to the field of architectural decoration.