UHPC, (Ultra High Performance Concrete), not only offers technical advantages for the construction of structures, but also has highly appreciated qualities for its application in architecture, in the form of precast elements.
One such application is in the construction of modular façades. The finer granulometry of the UHPC composition results in a high degree of fluidity after mixing. This makes it easier to create customised parts with a precise design.
For example, the modular parts of the façade of the technical faculty of the Southern Denmark University, with their sharp, clear curves, offer sufficient strength at low thickness. The minimal need for anchoring is due to the strength of the material, which is reinforced with steel fibre. This composition makes it possible to manufacture large pieces with pre-installed anchors in the workshop. As a result, the assembly process is accelerated and a uniform appearance is achieved with minimal auxiliary structures.
The UHPC not only makes it possible to create flat modular parts, but also 3D pieces. For example, in the Sainte-Foy car park in Quebec, Canada, pyramid-shaped UHPC parts, combined with colourful metal sheets, materialise the idea of an “urban forest“.
The application of UHPC to themed elements is also an alternative in specific situations because of some of its qualities, such as its high durability and wear resistance, or its ease of maintenance. Although its application is not yet widespread due to the additional cost of the moulds needed to manufacture the architectural elements, it is expected that, as it becomes more popular, UHPC will become a viable solution available to more builders on more projects.
By Tianshu Liu, Senior Architect in Amusement Logic’s Architectural Dept.
