Airbus Chengdu Maintenance Hangar Project

High load-bearing and impact resistance: Ordinary concrete floors typically have compressive strength of 30–60 MPa, which cannot maintain surface wear resistance and structural integrity under concentrated aircraft loads and repeated impact from maintenance equipment. Large-area low-joint and chemical resistance: A 7,000 m² bay with traditional jointing would have numerous joints, prone to edge damage under heavy equipment, generating debris that contaminates the clean hangar environment. Additionally, ordinary concrete has high permeability, allowing aviation fuel and hydraulic oil to penetrate and accelerate floor deterioration. Complex construction interfaces: The floor contains oil-water separation pipes, embedded sleeves, and grounding copper bars, requiring precise positioning and close coordination with MEP disciplines.

UHPC material selection: UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) offers compressive strength over 120 MPa, enhanced flexural and impact resistance to withstand maintenance equipment loads, a dense microstructure with very low permeability for chemical resistance, and superior surface wear resistance under frequent heavy traffic. Chemical resistance validation: Prior to finalizing the solution, laboratory tests were conducted by immersing UHPC specimens in aviation fuel, hydraulic oil, and cleaning agents, measuring strength change, mass loss, and surface condition. Low-joint design: UHPC's toughness and low shrinkage allowed wider joint spacing, cutting joints in the 7,000 m² bay. Embedded item coordination: During the detailed design phase, comprehensive embedded item drawings were developed in coordination with MEP disciplines to avoid conflicts with pipes, sleeves, and other embedments. UHPC placement requires specialized training for flow control and vibration. BICP provided systematic training for site personnel and deployed technical experts for full-time supervision during the first bay placement to ensure quality. Upon completion, key indicators including compressive strength, wear resistance, and flatness were tested by an independent third-party laboratory, meeting contractual standards.

Chengdu is a key aviation hub in western China. This project is an MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facility established by Airbus Lifecycle Services (China) in Chengdu, serving regular maintenance and overhaul of A320 and A330 aircraft.

The hangar floor demands significantly higher performance than typical industrial floors: aircraft weight is concentrated through landing gear, creating high point loads; maintenance equipment, scaffolding, and hydraulic platforms move frequently, generating continuous rolling and impact loads; the floor is exposed to aviation fuel, hydraulic oil, and cleaning chemicals, requiring strong chemical resistance; and the aviation maintenance environment demands high cleanliness, with no surface defects that could produce debris.

After evaluating various floor solutions, the project selected BICP's Taiping UHPC integrated floor system for the 24,000 m² hangar floor design and construction technical services.

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High load-bearing and impact resistance. Ordinary concrete floors typically have compressive strength of 30–60 MPa, which cannot maintain surface wear resistance and structural integrity under concentrated aircraft loads and repeated impact from maintenance equipment.

Large-area low-joint and chemical resistance. A 7,000 m² bay with traditional jointing would have numerous joints, prone to edge damage under heavy equipment, generating debris that contaminates the clean hangar environment. Additionally, ordinary concrete has high permeability, allowing aviation fuel and hydraulic oil to penetrate and accelerate floor deterioration.

Complex construction interfaces. The floor contains oil-water separation pipes, embedded sleeves, and grounding copper bars, requiring precise positioning and close coordination with MEP disciplines.

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UHPC material selection: UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) offers compressive strength over 120 MPa, enhanced flexural and impact resistance to withstand maintenance equipment loads, a dense microstructure with very low permeability for chemical resistance, and superior surface wear resistance under frequent heavy traffic.

Chemical resistance validation: Prior to finalizing the solution, laboratory tests were conducted by immersing UHPC specimens in aviation fuel, hydraulic oil, and cleaning agents, measuring strength change, mass loss, and surface condition.

Low-joint design: UHPC's toughness and low shrinkage allowed wider joint spacing, cutting joints in the 7,000 m² bay.

Embedded item coordination: During the detailed design phase, comprehensive embedded item drawings were developed in coordination with MEP disciplines to avoid conflicts with pipes, sleeves, and other embedments.

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UHPC placement requires specialized training for flow control and vibration. BICP provided systematic training for site personnel and deployed technical experts for full-time supervision during the first bay placement to ensure quality.

Upon completion, key indicators including compressive strength, wear resistance, and flatness were tested by an independent third-party laboratory, meeting contractual standards.

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This project provides a reference for industrial scenarios with stringent floor requirements, such as aviation and precision manufacturing.

Since operation, the hangar floor has performed stably under daily maintenance activities. Fewer joints keep the hangar clean; chemical resistance meets durability requirements.