GFRC is a lightweight, durable composite material made of Portland cement, fine aggregate, water, acrylic co-polymer, glass fiber reinforcement and additives. It results in a product with higher tensile strength than normal concrete that can be molded into various shapes, colors and textures. GFRC is approximately 75% lighter than traditional concrete and its internal reinforcement means no additional reinforcements are needed. It is used in construction applications such as buildings, cladding, landscaping, roofing, walls, windows, renovation, floors, foundations, modular buildings, acoustic barriers, bridges, tunnels and water/drainage systems due to its strength, low maintenance properties and moldability.
2. Composites are a combination of two or more materials.
One material is in the form of a fiber, called the reinforcement.
The other is a formable solid, called the matrix.
The region where the reinforcement and matrix meet is
called the interface.
Composite properties are determined by
chemical and mechanical interaction of the combined materials.
3. GFRC was originally developed in the 1940âs in Russia, but it wasnât until the
1970âs that the current form came into widespread use.
GRC has been making a significant
contribution to the economics, technology, and aesthetics of modern
construction worldwide for over 30 years.
# It is a composite of Portland cement, fine aggregate, water, acrylic co-polymer,
glass fiber reinforcement and additives.
# The GFRC results in a product with much higher tensile strengths than normal
concrete.
# It is a lightweight, durable material that can be cast into nearly unlimited shapes,
colors and textures.
# GRC products can be formed into sections as thin as 6 mm (1/4 inch)
so their weight is much less than traditional precast concrete products.
4. â˘Highly durable and safe
â˘Design freedom since GFRC is able to be molded into almost
any shape and color
â˘Requires very low maintenance
â˘Installation is quick and cost effective
â˘Weather and fire resistant
â˘Economical
â˘Energy efficient
5. â˘It is a great material for restoration of old buildings and is used for the exterior of the
buildings. It is also being used extensively for walls and ceilings.
â˘GFRC is lightweight and is about 75% lighter than traditional concrete.
â˘The tensile strength gives it a high strength to weight ratio.
â˘The reinforcement for this concrete is internal and does not need additional reinforcements.
â˘Heavy duty or expensive equipment is not necessary when pouring or spraying GFRC.
â˘It is easy to cut and is very difficult to crack.
â˘GFRC is very adaptable in that it can be poured or sprayed.
6. â˘There is no ductility. Ductility is a solid materialâs ability to deform under stress.
â˘The cost of GFRC is higher than traditional concrete. Due to the fiberglass being inside the
concrete and the addition of additives and acrylic co-polymer the price is steeper.
â˘GFRC is difficult to self-mix. Generally, a contractor will mix and pour or spray this type of
concrete.
7. SPRAY UP
Spray-up is similar to shotcrete in that the fluid concrete mixture (minus fibers) is
sprayed into the forms. The concrete is sprayed out of a gun-like nozzle that sprays a
separate stream of long fibers.
Glass fiber is fed off of a spool in a continuous thread into the gun, where blades cut
it just before it is sprayed. Chopped fiber lengths tend to be much longer (about 1.5â)
than fibers that get mixed in,.
Typically Spray-up is applied in two layers. The first layer is the face coat, much like a
gel-coat in fiberglass. This face coat usually has no fibers in it and is thin, often only
about 1/8â thick. The second, or backer layer has the fiber in it. The action of spraying
on the fibers orients them in a thin layer, much like the layers in plywood.
8. PREMIX
Premix, on the other hand, involves mixing shorter fibers in lower doses into the fluid
concrete. This mixture is either poured into molds or sprayed.
Premix tends to be less strong than spray-up due to the shorter fibers and more
random fiber orientation.
Spraying the face coat
Face coat ready for backer mix
Hand packing backer on upright
9. GRC IN BUILDINGS
It can be molded to form modern futuristic designs or to replicate traditional
historic features.
GRC can be painted, colored or simply left with a natural white or grey,
smooth or textured finish.
Key features
GRC products are lightweight, easy to handle and fast to erect
GRC products reduce loadings on buildings leading to significant
savings in superstructure and foundations
GRC is excellent for reproduction and renovation
GRC is environmentally friendly
10. GRC IN CLADDING
It is one of the most popular materials used for creative prefabricated
architectural
cladding. GRCâs ability to be molded into thin, lightweight panels with a wide
variety
of shapes, forms and surface finishes
Key features
GRC is easily molded to reproduce shapes, details and textures
GRCâs high strength allows design of thin, lightweight cladding elements
GRC can be colored with pigments, paints and natural stone facings
GRC cladding can replace non-structural precast concrete.
11. GRC IN LANDSCAPING
Seating, planters, kiosks, signs, statues and fountains, all benefit from being
made in GRC with its ability to tailor shape, form
and surface finish and to be aesthetically compatible with the chosen
environment.
Key features
GRC is environmentally friendly
GRC is durable against extreme weather conditions
GRC products are lightweight and easy to handle
GRC offers a wide variety of shapes and surface finishes
12. GRC IN ROOFING
GRC is an ideal material to use on a variety of roofing structures. It is lightweight
but
tough, easy to fix and unaffected by environmental conditions. It can imitate
traditional
roofing materials such as slate, natural stone or clay products but unlike these
materials
it is neither heavy nor brittle.
GRC can be molded into complex shapes for roofing accessories such as finials,
ridges and chimneys. It is non-combustible with a high impact strength and can be
used on all types of roof.
Corrugated GRC sheets, used for industrial and agricultural roofing, are
manufactured
by automated processes.
Key features
GRC is impact resistant
GRC can reproduce color and finish
GRC products are lightweight
GRC has excellent durability
13. GRC IN WALLS AND WINDOWS
Molded GRC components such as window sills, window surrounds,
cornices, door portals
and columns can add decoration to residential and commercial buildings
while also
meeting functional needs. Standard prefabricated panels incorporating a
choice of
surface finish including
exposed aggregate, natural
stone and brick effect are
possible.
Key features
GRC is easily moulded
GRC products are quick to install
GRC is durable and crack resistant
GRC offers a wide range of surface finishes
14. GRC IN RENOVATION
GRC is an ideal material for use in renovation.
Thin lightweight panels are easy to fix and minimize the weight
imposed on the existing
structure. In many cases the opportunity is taken not only to
improve the aesthetics of
the building but also to improve the thermal and acoustic
properties.
Key features
GRC preserves historic features
GRC improves aesthetics
GRC reduces the load on existing
structures
GRC enables thermal and acoustic
properties to be upgraded
15. GRC IN FLOORS AND FOUNDATION
GRC can provide practical solutions in the construction of foundations and floors.
As permanent formwork under suspended, in-situ concrete floors it can give economic
benefits together with excellent appearance. In balcony slab construction, GRC can
provide a pre-finished molded edge while simplifying construction. On ground floor
concrete slabs, insulated GRC edge formwork can help in minimizing heat loss from the
building in cold climates. Similarly, in wall construction insulated GRC base course
and sill units can be incorporated, which contribute to the overall wall insulation
performance.
On the construction site, forms of glass fibre-modified concrete can be used in floor
screeding, both in relatively thick concrete screeds and in thin self-levelling overlays.
Key features
GRC permanent formwork protects
concrete
GRC floor screeds and overlays offer
improved crack resistance over
traditional finishes
GRC insulated products improve
thermal performance
GRC improves concrete durability
16. GRC IN MODULAR BUILDINGS
The qualities of GRC are shown to great advantage in the area of modular building.
GRC panels are light and easily transported but also resistant to damage. Small units
such as modular bathrooms or telecommunications equipment housings can be shipped
in one piece and rapidly lifted into position. The strength of GRC is sufficient so that,
even in thin skin construction, small modular buildings can be designed without heavy
structural frames.
GRC walls can incorporate thermal insulation if required, while the absence of steel
reinforcement can be a benefit in electrical or telecommunications applications.
Aesthetically, the full range of natural and applied finishes, and freedom of design,
which characterize GRC permit solutions to satisfy any architectural requirement.
Key features
GRC enables rapid construction
GRC products are lightweight and portable
GRC provides a turn-key solution
GRC products can improve thermal performance
17. GRC IN ACOUSTIC
GRC has found favour with acoustics engineers worldwide as a primary
choice for
both internal and external acoustic barriers and screens.
In road and railway construction, GRC noise barriers, which can either
disperse or
absorb sound, have provided nearby residents with a better environment.
Key features
GRC improves the environment
GRC disperses or absorbs sound
GRC is ideal for elevated structures
GRC enhances the aesthetics
18. GRC IN BRIDGES AND TUNNEL
Lightweight, durable GRC elements are frequently used in the world of
bridges and
tunnels. GRC parapet panels are used to provide aesthetically pleasing
architectural
features without burdening the structure with excessive weight.
GRC panels can be manufactured with thin sections, which means
that the encroachment into the open space of the tunnel is minimized.
Key features
GRC products are lightweight
GRC is fire resistant
GRC products are fast to fix
GRC is functional and aesthetic
19. GRC IN WATER AND DRAINAGE
GRC units can be manufactured
with dense smooth surfaces that minimize resistance to water flow.
Key features
GRC is easy to handle and transport
GRC is strong and durable
GRC is fast to install
GRC has low resistance to water flow
20.
21.
22. Sustainability
GFRC panel construction produces less waste than precast panels and uses fewer
natural resources. Since the fabrication is done in the factory, less job site waste is
produced. And at the end of the long economic life of a GFRC clad building, the GFRC
panels may be refurbished for re-use or crushed for recycling. Government studies have
shown a significantly reduced impact with GFRC vs. precast concrete or other curtain
wall and cladding options.
Functional
GFRC cladding is durable and low maintenance. GFRC offers the owner superior
weathering performance and a high level of corrosion resistance.
Wind Resistant
GFRC panels can offer a high level of wind resistance and have proven themselves in
category 5 hurricanes.
Fire Resistant
GFRC is made from non combustible material and offers a flame spread of 0.
Thermal Insulation
Insulation can be incorporated either as a lining to the internal face of a panel or as a
core between two GFRC layers. Joints between GFRC panels are typically filled with
silicone sealant.
23.
24. â˘It is a great material for restoration of old buildings and is used for the exterior of the buildings.
â˘GFRC is lightweight and is about 75% lighter than traditional concrete.
⢠GFRC are used in buildings, cladding, landscaping, roofing, walls and windows, renovation,
floors and foundation, modular building, acoustic, water and drainage and in bridges and tunnel.
â˘The reinforcement for this concrete is internal and does not need additional reinforcements.
â˘Heavy duty or expensive equipment is not necessary when pouring or spraying GFRC.
â˘It is easy to cut and is very difficult to crack.
⢠GFRC is made from non combustible material and offers a flame spread of 0.
⢠GFRC cladding is durable and low maintenance. GFRC offers the owner superior weathering
performance and a high level of corrosion resistance.
â˘Insulation can be incorporated either as a lining to the internal face of a panel or as a core
between two GFRC layers. Joints between GFRC panels are typically filled with silicone
sealant.
â˘GFRC panels can offer a high level of wind resistance and have proven themselves in category
5 hurricanes.
⢠The GFRC results in a product with much higher tensile strengths than normal concrete.
⢠It is a lightweight, durable material that can be cast into nearly unlimited shapes, colors and
textures.
â˘GRC products can be formed into sections as thin as 6 mm (1/4 inch)
so their weight is much less than traditional precast concrete products.