"In November 2023, Shanghai Fengling Renewables Co., Ltd. successfully built the world's first UHPC150 material ultra-high mixing tower in Lianshui, Jiangsu, marking a groundbreaking application of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) in the field of wind power."
Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a new type of building material with extremely high compressive strength, far surpassing that of traditional concrete. The compressive strength of traditional concrete generally ranges from 30 to 60MPa, whereas the UHPC material used for FL RENEWABLES mixing tower has a compressive strength of over 150MPa, which is 4-6 times that of traditional concrete. UHPC is known as a "Super Material Leading the Future of Construction," greatly enhancing the safety and durability of buildings.
(The dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi offshore, constructed from UHPC)
Simply increasing the compressive strength of concrete does not overcome its inherent brittleness and low tensile strength. Therefore, UHPC incorporates metal materials like steel fibers into its main components. Thanks to the very tight bond between the cement matrix and steel fibers, UHPC's density and tensile strength are significantly enhanced.
Furthermore, UHPC material also boasts excellent corrosion resistance, impermeability, and frost resistance, capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change, chemical corrosion, and other factors. It ensures the longevity of buildings even in harsh environments such as extreme cold and high corrosion.
Performance | Plain Concrete | Fiber Reinforced Concrete | Ultra-High Performance Concrete |
Compressive Strength | 21-27Mpa | 30-50Mpa | 120-200Mpa |
Splitting Tensile Strength | 1-3Mpa | 5-15Mpa | 15-30Mpa |
Elastic Modulus | 21,000-35,000Mpa | 30,000-40,000Mpa | <50,000Mpa |
Mechanical Properties | Brittleness | Semi-brittleness | Ductility |
Cracking Characteristics | Localized | Localized + Diffuse | Localized + Diffuse |
(Image source: Han Jingcheng, Shanghai FL RENEWABLES Design Department)
Due to the greater load-bearing capacity of ultra-high performance concrete towers, they can support with a smaller cross-section and thinner thickness, reducing material costs. Even if cracks occur, ultra-high performance concrete still maintains a higher tensile strength, reducing the risk of tower block falling.
Moreover, ultra-high performance concrete also has outstanding durability, significantly extending the service life of UHPC towers compared to regular steel towers. This not only enhances the reliability of wind power systems but also reduces maintenance and replacement costs, extending the life cycle of the entire wind power project.
(Tower segments from FL RENEWABLES are subject to rigorous testing before leaving the factory)
Famed architect Rudy Ricciotti once commented on UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), "We don't know how far this material will take us, but we are certain that we can change the world together."
In terms of material and quality control, FL RENEWABLES always stays at the forefront. We believe that with reliable quality and innovative technology, we will step into a brand-new future together.
