Articles

UHPC Applications Overview for Architectural Cladding Elements in the Precast Industry

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Abstract

For new or renovated buildings, UHPC is used in architectural applications. Conceptions are multiple: cladding panels, sunshades, meshes, awning roofs, etc. Thanks to the finesse of UHPC, it is possible to produce complex shapes with specific dies and colors while working with low thicknesses. There are many examples, such as Roquefavour slabs (France) with a stone-effect matrix; the awning roof of the Villa Vertigo (Ramatuelle, France) with a around 23 ft x 36 ft cantilever; the sunshades of the communal building (Etterbeek, Belgium) or the openwork meshes of Flon façade (Lausanne, Switzerland). Thanks to significant mechanical characteristics of this material, passive reinforcements can be removed or greatly reduced compared to the traditional concrete. This leads to simplify the manufacturing part but also to reduce the weight of the elements which become manually portable. Durability characteristics give elements a lifetime of at least 100 years depending on exposure classes. All the characteristics of UHPC also provide impact or seismic protection. The most developed architectural part in Europe, characterized and standardized based on French standards, is the cladding with invisible fixings. The installation of 0.79 in thick panels can be carried out on a load-bearing structure in masonry, concrete or on construction with a wooden frame. The chassis is made of aluminum with an anchoring system adjusted for thin plates. These small inserts have a useful length of 0.39 in and a diameter of 0.24 in, but many more inserts exist for cladding applications.

Keywords: cladding, precast, architectural elements

How to Cite:

Aymont, A. & Frécon, J., (2023) “UHPC Applications Overview for Architectural Cladding Elements in the Precast Industry”, International Interactive Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete 3(1): 98. doi: https://doi.org/10.21838/uhpc.16705

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