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UHPC SOLUTIONS FOR DEFENCE AND SECURITY

In today’s fast-changing security environment, the need for strong, reliable, and forward-thinking solutions is greater than ever. Hi-Con’s Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) rises to this challenge, offering outstanding strength and durability for defence applications. From protective walls to temporary security barriers, our UHPC is built to meet the strict demands of military and security operations. By combining advanced technology with practical design, we deliver concrete elements that not only withstand extreme conditions but also provide long-lasting performance and flexibility across various scenarios.

This material sets a new standard for protective structures. It is resilient, efficient, and quick to deploy. It is bullet-resistant and certified to FB7 at just 75 mm thickness. Furthermore, it offers excellent protection against forced entry and is certified to Grade 4 at only 50 mm, equivalent to RC6 for doors and windows. It also provides superior resistance to blast loads and supports fast construction and repair. To ensure strong connections between components, we offer CRC JointCast, a high-performance mortar that quickly gains strength, allowing joints to reach full capacity in just a few days. In addition, UHPC is fire-resistant, maintenance-free, and extremely ductile, making it a dependable choice for long-term use in critical environments.

HIGHLIGHTS

MATERIAL PROPERTIES

 

Our UHPC material offers a wide range of outstanding properties, making it ideal for securing critical infrastructure and military facilities. Below, we've highlighted the most important ones:

 

  • Unmatched compressive strength
  • Superior impact resistance
  • High shapeability and design freedom, and allows for large formats
  • Maintenance free
  • Over 100+ years of durability
  • Fire resistant
  • Extremely ductile

 

Read more about Ultra High Performance Concrete here

DOWNLOADS

 

A Comprehensive Review of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Behaviour Under Blast Loads

 

 

MATERIAL DOCUMENTATION AND TEST RESULTS

 

Access in-depth documentation on our UHPC solutions, material properties, and test results to support your project planning and decision-making.

DOWNLOADS

 

Test / Effect of Design Parameters on the Blast Response of Ultra-High Performance Concrete Columns

 

Test / Effect of Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete on the Blast Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams

 

Test / Impact Response of an Ultra-High Strength Cement Composite

WHAT IS ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE?

Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is an innovative type of concrete known for its exceptional strength, durability, and versatility. Unlike traditional concrete, UHPC achieves compressive strengths exceeding 150 MPa, making it up to ten times stronger than standard mixes.

 

At Hi-Con, we produce our own advanced version of UHPC, called CRC i3b (Compact Reinforced Composite). In our production, CRC i3b typically reaches an average compressive strength of around 200 MPa. The mix contains a high volume of steel fibers to ensure effective crack control and manage deflection, while also incorporating conventional reinforcement to further enhance the structural integrity of our solutions.

 

 

WHAT MAKES UHPC IDEAL FOR DEFENCE AND SECURITY?

 

The dense matrix of UHPC and its fiber reinforcement significantly increase resistance to blasts and ballistic impacts, ensuring superior protection. UHPC exhibits superior behavior when compared to high quality concrete and it provides outstanding protection against small firearms. The material also provides extremely good durability and lifespans exceeding 100 years, even in marine environments or where structures are exposed to extreme weather, chemical exposure, and physical wear. For the defence and security sector, this means structures built with UHPC require less maintenance, have longer service lives, and offer enhanced protection against a variety of threats.

 

Additionally, the material's unique properties enable the construction of thinner, lighter structures without compromising strength, facilitating rapid deployment and adaptability in various operational scenarios.

GUNFIRE TEST ON HI-CON'S 75 MM UHPC ELEMENT

 

Hi-Con’s UHPC material is tested and certified to meet high security standards. With a thickness of just 75 mm, our UHPC complies with FB7 according to Annex C of EN 1523, providing protection against high-caliber firearms. Additionally, it meets Grade 4 in EN 1143-1 (Strong Room) at both 75 mm and 50 mm thicknesses, which corresponds to RC6 classification under EN 1627.

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MEETING MODERN SECURITY CHALLENGES

Modern security threats are complex and constantly evolving. From unpredictable attacks to the need for rapidly deployable protective structures, traditional building materials often fall short in providing the necessary resilience and adaptability. Hi-Con's Ultra High Performance Concrete is engineered to meet these challenges head-on. Its exceptional strength and flexibility enable structures to absorb and disperse blast forces, minimizing damage and enhancing safety for personnel.

 

Beyond its superior material properties, what truly sets Hi-Con apart is our unwavering commitment to innovation. We continuously invest in research and development to refine our UHPC solutions, ensuring they not only meet but exceed the rigorous demands of defence and security applications. This dedication to innovation means our clients benefit from cutting-edge materials that offer higher resistance, faster deployment, longer service life, and reduced maintenance requirements.

 

Our UHPC solutions are backed by extensive research and practical experience, ensuring they meet the high demands of defence and security applications. For detailed insights, test results, and technical documentation, please visit our highlight section.

TEST OF BLAST AND SEISMIC RESISTANCE OF UHPC

 

Extensive tests of blast resistance and seismic resistance have been carried out in Ottawa under Professor Hassan Aoude using their shock tube testing equipment. The videos compare the response of a conventional SCC column to a column (with similar reinforcement) produced in fibre-reinforced CRC. 

 

A number of papers have been produced by Professor Aoude and his group, and two of these, with explanations of the tests, have been included in our downloads section above. Also included in the downloads is a paper describing impact testing carried out at the University of British Columbia under Professor Banthia.

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TAILORED UHPC FOR YOUR NEEDS

At Hi-Con, we work hand in hand with our partners and clients to develop UHPC solutions tailored to their specific security needs. This collaborative approach ensures that every project benefits from shared knowledge, resulting in structures that are not only technically advanced but also aligned with real-world operational demands.

 

By choosing Hi-Con, you’re partnering with a company that’s dedicated to pushing the boundaries of material technology and delivering solutions that strengthen and future-proof your security infrastructure.

 

Do you have a project where our UHPC elements could be the right fit? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Our specialists are ready to advise and support you, whether you have questions, need guidance, or simply want a professional perspective. You’re also welcome to explore our other UHPC solutions here.

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CONTACT OUR DEFENCE EXPERT

SHOULD WE HELP STRENGTHEN YOUR DEFENCE?

 

Our experts are ready to assist you in selecting and implementing the right UHPC solutions for your security or defence projects.