glass reinforced concrete

Uses of GRC

Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC), often also referred to as GFRC (Glass-Fibre Reinforced Concrete), is an exceptionally versatile building material favored by architects and engineers.1

 

Composition and Properties:

GRC is a composite material formed from a mixture of:

  • Hydraulic cement
  • Silica sand
  • Alkali Resistant (AR) glass fibres2

     

  • Water

The crucial element of GRC is the inclusion of glass fibres.3 These fibres effectively reinforce the mortar mix, significantly enhancing its tensile strength and overall mechanical characteristics.4

 

Development and Advantages:

GRC was developed in the 1960s as a corrosion-free alternative to traditional steel-reinforced concrete.5 While initially used as an exterior cladding material, its ability to be moulded into a vast array of complex shapes, profiles, and architectural components quickly became apparent.6

One of the primary advantages of GRC panels over conventional precast concrete alternatives is the considerable weight saving.7 GRC panels are significantly lighter, which translates directly into reduced costs for transportation, handling, and erection on construction sites.8 If this weight advantage is factored into the design phase of a project, it can lead to substantial environmental and economic savings in the design of foundations and superstructures for both low-rise and high-rise buildings.9

 

Beyond weight, other notable benefits of GRC cladding include:

  • Durability
  • Excellent seismic capabilities (ability to withstand earthquakes)10

     

  • Chemical resistance
  • Non-combustibility (high fire resistance)11

     

  • Good sound and heat insulation properties

Uses of GRC:

The applications for Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete are incredibly diverse, limited only by design imagination. Its flexibility in structure, profile, and shape makes it suitable for a wide range of projects, from innovative, cutting-edge designs and artworks to traditional cladding applications or sensitive historic restorations.12

Primary Uses:

  • Exterior Facades and Cladding: GRC is predominantly used as an exterior facade or cladding material for both new constructions and for recladding or restoring existing building facades.13 GRC cladding panels are commonly manufactured using the ‘Hand Spray’ technique, where a thin GRC skin is bonded to a steel stud frame.14 This method allows for the production of high-performance materials with extremely thin, lightweight sections.

     

  • Highly Detailed and Ornate Elements: Due to its extreme flexibility and moldability, GRC is perfect for creating intricate and ornate patterns and textures.15 These can be used for interior and exterior panels, artworks that don’t require backing frames, and architectural dressings such as exterior wall, window, spandrel, cornice, column liners, fireplace surrounds, and benchtops.16

     

  • Historic Restoration Projects: The low rate of shrinkage in GRC makes it an excellent choice for restoring historic buildings.17 Moulds can be taken directly from existing architectural ornaments to accurately recreate their original classical appearance.18

     

Aesthetic Customization:

GRC can be painted or coloured to almost any desired shade by adding a pigment oxide to the mix during the casting process.19