Expansion of KURALON™ Applications in UHPFRC/UHPC.
*UHPFRC : Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete *UHPC : Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
UHPFRC or UHPC is a class of materials that possess extremely high compressive strength and durability but require careful crack control and stable failure behavior.
Therefore, fibers that interact strongly with the cement matrix and provide stable reinforcement performance are required.
Thanks to its high affinity with the cement matrix, KURALON™ contributes to crack suppression, flexural reinforcement, and controlled failure behavior.
Features of KURALON™
1．High reinforcement performance; stably bridges cracks.
In UHPFRC and UHPC, post-cracking behavior has a significant impact on structural performance and durability.
Therefore, it is extremely important that the reinforcing fibers effectively suppress deformation when cracks occur and stably bridge the cracks. Thanks to its high hydrophilicity derived from the molecular structure of PVA, KURALON™ adheres firmly to the cement matrix.
As a result, it maintains high flexural reinforcement performance even after cracking occurs and suppresses the progression of localized damage from cracks, contributing to improved long-term durability and reliability of the structural member.
2． It maintains concrete performance even under harsh conditions, contributing to the extended service life of the product.
KURALON™ possesses high alkali resistance; even in the strongly alkaline environment of cement, the fibers are resistant to degradation, making it easier to maintain reinforcement performance over the long term.
Furthermore, in low-temperature environments, water within the concrete expands and contracts through repeated freezing and thawing, creating microscopic voids. This repeated cycle gradually weakens the concrete.
Thanks to its high adhesion to the cement matrix, KURALON™ bridges these microscopic voids and cracks, thereby suppressing the progression of internal structural degradation. As a result, it demonstrates excellent durability even in freeze-thaw environments.
3．Improving structural performance to reduce environmental impact.
Thanks to its excellent flexural reinforcement performance, KURALON™ enables the use of thinner-walled and lighter-weight structural members. This leads to a reduction in cement usage and transportation energy, thereby lowering the environmental impact of the entire construction project.
It contributes to the realization of sustainable construction.
Application Examples and Solutions
KURALON™ is being adopted and considered as a reinforcing fiber for high-strength concrete in applications where improvements in aesthetics, durability, and workability are required.
●UHPC Facades
・Enables thinner and lighter structures
・Enables the creation of panels with complex, highly decorative designs
・Does not rust, so it does not detract from the landscape
●UHPC Precast Civil Engineering Structures
・Provides long-term durability through alkali resistance
・Extends service life through wear resistance
・Improves safety during construction
●UHPC Bridge Deck Repair
・Contributes to improved tensile strength, ensuring long-term durability
・Extended service life through wear resistance
・Improved safety during construction
Consultation on Material Selection and Evaluation
The effectiveness of fiber reinforcement in high-strength concrete varies depending on mix design, workability, manufacturing conditions, and required performance.
Therefore, selecting the appropriate fibers for the application and conducting preliminary evaluations are critical.
We offer consultations on sample evaluation and material selection based on your intended applications and design requirements. If you are considering applications such as building facades, precast civil engineering structures, or repair and reinforcement, please feel free to contact us.
