UHPC Tunnel Lining Patent Landscape 2026
Activity in UHPC tunnel lining is dominated by Chinese academic and state-owned infrastructure institutions, with Hunan University holding the leading position and China accounting for the overwhelming share of filing jurisdictions. The field reached peak annual volume in 2021 and has since eased, though several new entrants are now active and process-adjacent branches remain sparsely covered.
Chinese institutions dominate a concentrated, maturing field
Hunan University leads all filers with 10 patent records, followed closely by Gansu Jiaoshe Zhiyuan Industrial Co. and Gansu Province Transportation Planning Survey & Design Institute, each with 8 patent records, and Jiangxi Longzheng Technology Development Co. with 7. The top five filers’ combined share represents 30% of the hundred largest filers’ total, indicating moderate-to-high concentration at the top.
A clear two-tier structure is visible: a small cluster of universities and provincial transport design institutes occupying the top ranks, and a longer tail of smaller regional contractors and consultancies each holding two or three patent records. The tier gap narrows quickly beyond the top five.
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunan University | 10 | |
| 2 | Gansu Jiaoshe Zhiyuan Industrial Co., Ltd. | 8 | |
| 3 | GANSU PROVINCE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SURVEY & DE… | 8 | |
| 4 | Jiangxi Longzheng Technology Development Co., Ltd. | 7 | |
| 5 | Soletanche Freyssinet SAS | 6 | |
| 6 | Fuzhou University | 6 | |
| 7 | Southeast University | 5 | |
| 8 | Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Railway Transportation Design & Research Institute | 4 | |
| 9 | CHINA RAILWAY FIRST SURVEY & DESIGN INST GRP | 4 | |
| 10 | KOREA INST OF CIVIL ENG & BUILDING TECH | 4 |
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Foshan Xinyicheng Construction Engineering Management Consulting Co., Ltd. | 3 | |
| 12 | Yueyang Road and Bridge Group Co., Ltd. | 3 | |
| 13 | Hunan Mingxiang Technology Development Co., Ltd. | 2 | |
| 14 | CHINA RAILWAY SIYUAN SURVEY & DESIGN GRP CO LTD | 2 | |
| 15 | Guangzhou Institute of Railway Technology | 2 | |
| 16 | Shanxi Province Transportation Technology R&D Co., Ltd. | 2 | |
| 17 | Longnan Tongtu Highway Maintenance Engineering Co., Ltd. | 2 | |
| 18 | China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd. | 2 | |
| 19 | Beijing University of Technology | 2 | |
| 20 | China Railway Tunnel Survey & Design Research Institute Co., Ltd. | 2 |
The leadership of Hunan University and multiple transport planning institutes signals that China’s infrastructure expansion programmes, with limited multinational presence except for Soletanche Freyssinet, the sole significant Western filer at 6 patent records.
The most recent 18–24 months of filing data are subject to publication lag and should be treated as under-counts rather than indicators of a further slowdown. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Peak in 2021, easing volumes, and a structurally dominant tunnel-engineering class
The annual filing trend and technology composition charts together reveal a field that accelerated sharply between 2019 and 2021 and has since moderated, while remaining heavily anchored to tunnel-support engineering with limited diversification into adjacent process classes.
Annual filing trend
Filings were negligible before 2019, climbed to a peak of 24 in 2021, then stepped down to 20 in 2022 and further to 11–12 in 2023–2025. The 2026 figure of 2 reflects publication lag and should not be read as a real-terms decline. The field is past its peak on an annual basis, though multi-year cumulative output remains meaningful at 105 patent families in scope.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
E21D (Shafts, tunnels and mine support) dominates with 94 patent records, making it the structurally defining class. C04B (Ceramics, cement and refractories) is the most developed secondary class at 28 records, reflecting active work on UHPC mix design. E21F, B28C, B05D, and E04G each account for 12 or fewer records, marking the boundary between the core and sparsely populated adjacent branches.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Novel underground ultra-high-strength UHPC segment
The present disclosure provides a novel underground ultra-high-strength UHPC segment, including two first segments and a second segment, where one side of each of the first segments is provided with a slot, two sides of the second segment are integrally connected to an inserting plate, the inserting plate is inserted, matched and connected between the two… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
Open this patent in Eureka →| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一种可拆卸的轻型钢-UHPC组合盾构管片及其制备方法 | 19 |
| 2 | 超高性能混凝土—普通混凝土盾构隧道管片及其施工方法 | 15 |
| 3 | 一种隧道用UHPC衬砌结构及其施工方法 | 14 |
| 4 | 一种装配式UHPC隧道衬砌结构及其施工方法 | 9 |
| 5 | 用于加固盾构隧道衬砌结构的超高性能混凝土-钢拱架组合结构及方法 | 8 |
| 6 | 以装配式UHPC结构为底模的隧道二次衬砌及其施工方法 | 7 |
| 7 | 一种利用UHPC材料对隧道衬砌裂缝的永久修复方法 | 7 |
| 8 | 一种可拆卸的轻型钢-UHPC组合盾构管片 | 7 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the competitive structure implies for R&D investment decisions
Four structural observations — maturity, concentration, collaboration patterns, and geographic spread — shape the strategic context for any organisation evaluating entry or expansion in UHPC tunnel lining.
Past-peak: field has eased from its 2021 high
The lifecycle evidence places the field in decline on an annual-volume basis, with filings easing back from the 2021 peak of 24. This is consistent with a technology that has cleared early proof-of-concept stages and is now being applied selectively to specific project types. New entrants identified in the momentum data suggest the space is not closed, but the window for high-novelty structural patent positions is narrowing.
Lifecycle: past-peakModerate concentration with a long contractor tail
The top five filers hold 30% of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, with Hunan University at 10 patent records and two Gansu province entities jointly holding 16. Beyond the top cluster, concentration disperses rapidly across regional design institutes and contractors. This structure suggests that targeted filing in under-covered sub-topics could establish a defensible position without directly competing against the leading institutions’ core claims.
Moderate concentrationUniversity–industry co-filing is the dominant model
The most active co-filing pair is Gansu Province Transportation Planning Survey & Design Institute and Gansu Jiaoshe Zhiyuan Industrial Co., jointly authoring 8 patent records — the strongest collaboration dyad in the corpus. Southeast University has co-filed with three separate industry partners: China Railway Fourth Survey & Design Institute Group, Guangzhou Highway Engineering Group, and China Railway Fifth Survey & Design Institute Group. Hunan University has also co-filed with Hunan Provincial Communications Planning Survey & Design Institute and Hunan Zhongteng Civil Engineering Technology. This pattern of academic anchor paired with a state-owned engineering institute or contractor is the structural norm.
University–industry dyadsChina-centric with thin international protection
China accounts for 90 of the patent records in the jurisdiction breakdown, with the United States at 4, Australia at 3, Canada and South Korea at 2 each, WIPO PCT at 2, and Europe (EPO) and Luxembourg each at 1. The sparse international filing profile of most leading Chinese applicants means their inventions may not be protected in major infrastructure markets outside China, creating potential freedom-to-operate space for Western practitioners in US, EU, and Australian jurisdictions.
China-centric, thin IP abroadGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| Gansu Province Transportation Planning Survey & Design Institute Co., Ltd. | Gansu Jiaoshe Zhiyuan Industrial Co., Ltd. | 8 |
| Southeast University | China Railway Fourth Survey & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd. | 2 |
| Hunan University | Hunan Provincial Communications Planning Survey & Design Institute Co., Ltd. | 1 |
| Hunan University | Hunan Zhongteng Civil Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. | 1 |
| Southeast University | Guangzhou Highway Engineering Group Co., Ltd. | 1 |
| Southeast University | China Railway Fifth Survey & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd. | 1 |
| China Railway First Survey & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd. | China Railway Construction Corporation Limited | 1 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Hunan University leads on structural lining; Soletanche Freyssinet leads on process
The two most strategically distinct players are Hunan University, which has built the largest portfolio concentrated on tunnel-support structures, and Soletanche Freyssinet, the sole major Western entrant, which has focused on coating, mixing, and materials formulation rather than structural lining geometry.
Hunan University
Hunan University holds 10 patent records, all concentrated in E21D 11 (tunnel support structures), with minor coverage of B28B shaping methods. Its momentum is flagged as a new entrant in the recent period, indicating that its portfolio has been built rapidly and recently. The university’s co-filing relationships with Hunan Provincial Communications Planning Survey & Design Institute and Hunan Zhongteng Civil Engineering Technology suggest active technology transfer channels into regional infrastructure delivery.
patent records: 10Soletanche Freyssinet
Soletanche Freyssinet holds 6 patent records and is the most technically differentiated filer in the corpus, covering B05D coating processes, B28C mortar and concrete mixing, and C04B ceramics and cement formulation — a process-first portfolio that contrasts with the structural-first approach of the Chinese leaders. As the only significant non-Asian multinational, its international filing footprint and process-oriented IP position it distinctly for licensing or specification-driven entry in Western markets.
patent records: 6| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Hunan University | 7 | ▲ new entrant |
| Jiangxi Longzheng Technology Development Co., Ltd. | 4 | ▲ new entrant |
| Southeast University | 5 | ▲ new entrant |
| China Railway First Survey & Design Institute Group Co., Ltd. | 1 | ▲ new entrant |
Under-served branches adjacent to the UHPC tunnel lining core
Five IPC classes sit at the low-coverage periphery of the corpus. Two in particular — B05D coating processes and B28C mortar and concrete mixing — combine relative sparsity with plausible technical value and realistic entry paths for organisations with materials or process expertise.
B05D · Coating processes for UHPC lining surfaces
With only 6 patent records and a 3% share of the corpus, coating processes for UHPC tunnel linings are sparsely covered despite having clear technical relevance: surface coatings can modify waterproofing, fire resistance, and durability without redesigning the structural lining. Soletanche Freyssinet is currently the dominant filer in this branch, but the low count leaves significant room for additional IP. Entry paths include spray-applied reactive coatings, geopolymer surface treatments, and fibre-reinforced topcoat systems.
Search this in Eureka →B28C · Mortar and concrete mixing optimised for UHPC tunnel applications
Mortar and concrete mixing (B28C) accounts for 7 patent records at a 4% share — sparse relative to the 94-record core in E21D. Mix design and batching processes are critical enablers of UHPC performance in tunnel environments, particularly for on-site or segmental casting. The branch is currently served mainly by Soletanche Freyssinet and a small number of Chinese university filers, leaving room for specialised equipment manufacturers, admixture producers, or precast specialists to establish distinct positions.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ by technology route across structural, materials, and process classes
Route coverage across the main technology branches in the current evidence set.
| Player | E21D 11 · Shafts, tunnels & mine support | C04B 28 · Ceramics, cement & refractories | E21D 9 · Shafts, tunnels & mine support | C04B 111 · Ceramics, cement & refractories | E21D 20 · Shafts, tunnels & mine support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiangxi Longzheng Technology Development Co., Ltd. | Strong · 4 | Strong · 5 | Absent | Strong · 4 | Absent |
| Soletanche Freyssinet SAS | Strong · 6 | Strong · 6 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Hunan University | Strong · 10 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Emerging · 1 |
| Gansu Jiaoshe Zhiyuan Industrial Co., Ltd. | Strong · 8 | Absent | Moderate · 2 | Absent | Absent |
| Gansu Province Transportation Planning Survey & Design Institute Co., Ltd. | Strong · 8 | Absent | Moderate · 2 | Absent | Absent |
| Southeast University | Strong · 5 | Moderate · 2 | Absent | Emerging · 1 | Emerging · 1 |
| Fuzhou University | Strong · 6 | Absent | Absent | Absent | Emerging · 1 |
Frequently asked questions
The corpus contains 105 patent families in scope, with filing activity beginning meaningfully in 2019 and peaking in 2021.
Hunan University leads with 10 patent records, focused entirely on tunnel-support structural applications under IPC class E21D 11.
On a multi-year basis the corpus shows meaningful cumulative output, but annual filing volume has eased from its 2021 peak of 24. The most recent 18–24 months are subject to publication lag. The lifecycle evidence classifies the field as past-peak on an annual basis.
China is the dominant jurisdiction with 90 patent records. The United States follows with 4, Australia with 3, Canada and South Korea with 2 each, WIPO PCT with 2, and Europe (EPO) and Luxembourg each with 1.
Yes. The strongest co-filing dyad is Gansu Province Transportation Planning Survey & Design Institute and Gansu Jiaoshe Zhiyuan Industrial Co. with 8 jointly filed patent records. Southeast University has co-filed with three separate industry partners, and Hunan University has collaborated with two regional partners, confirming a university–industry co-filing model as the structural norm.
The most sparsely covered adjacent branches are B05D (coating processes, 6 patent records) and B28C (mortar and concrete mixing, 7 patent records). Both have plausible technical relevance to UHPC tunnel lining performance and are currently served by only a small number of filers, with Soletanche Freyssinet the most active in both.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from PatSnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
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