Led by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation Research Institute (CSCEC Research Institute), and jointly developed with Jinan Transportation Development Investment Co., Ltd., China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), and CSCEC Eighth Engineering Division Co., Ltd., the ultra-large prefabricated stay-in-place UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) formwork has successfully completed its first real-world engineering application at Weizishan Station on Jinan Metro Line 8. The project was supported by the Key R&D Program of Shandong Province.

Product Overview: Innovation Driving Project Advancement

The ultra-large prefabricated stay-in-place UHPC formwork is primarily designed for cast-in-place concrete structures in metro stations and underground spaces. Serving as both a permanent mold and an external protective structural layer, the formwork integrates the roles of temporary formwork and permanent structure—embodying the “permanent-temporary integration” concept in prefabricated metro construction.

Key Technical Advantages

• Ultra-Large Size & High-Precision Factory Prefabrication: Manufactured with UHPC in controlled factory conditions, the formwork boasts superior geometric precision and surface flatness compared to traditional systems, significantly improving construction quality.

• Structural Integration with “Stay-in-Place” Functionality: The formwork acts both as a casting mold and as part of the final structure. Its excellent mechanical properties allow it to bond seamlessly with in-situ concrete, eliminating the need for removal—thus streamlining the construction process by removing conventional formwork erection and dismantling steps.

• Fast On-Site Assembly with Simplified Workflow: On-site work involves only positioning and rapid connection of prefabricated units, reducing labor intensity, shortening construction timelines, and minimizing construction waste and dust emissions.

• UHPC Performance Advantage: The high strength, toughness, and durability of UHPC ensure that the formwork resists construction loads and environmental corrosion, enhancing the integrity and service life of the entire structure.

On-Site Application: Demonstrating Innovation Through Practice

This new formwork system was successfully applied in the construction of Jinan Metro Line 8, where it substantially reduced labor intensity and improved both safety and quality. The solution offers a replicable and scalable model for advancing the modernization of metro construction and demonstrates clear leadership and pilot significance for the sector.

During the production and installation phase, Lu Linhai, CPC Committee Member and Deputy General Manager of Jinan Rail Transit Group Co., Ltd., visited the site with a technical team to provide guidance. He affirmed the system’s innovation and demonstration value, recognizing its alignment with green, low-carbon, and industrialized development goals. He also offered constructive suggestions on optimizing core technologies for broader engineering application.

Sun Jiecheng, Deputy Project Manager of the Jinan Metro Line 8 project, commented that the successful implementation of this formwork verifies its technological advancement and engineering reliability. He added that, moving forward, the project team will continue deep collaboration with the CSCEC Research Institute to promote further innovation in industrialized metro construction, accelerating the development and application of core technologies and products under the support of Shandong’s Key R&D Program.