Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) is one of the most versatile building material available on architects and engineers.
Developed in the twentieth century, GRC has been making a significant contribution to the economics, technology and asesthetics of modern construction worldwide for 30 years.
GRC is not a single material but a family of high-performance cement-based composites reinforced with special alkali resistant glass fibres, which can be engineered to suit a wide range of applications.
GRC products can be formed into sections as thin as 6mm so their weight is much less than traditional precast concrete products.
The design and manufacture of GRC products is covered by international standards, which have been developed in Europe, America, Asian and Australia. GRC is manufactured in over 100 countries.
GRC is a family of material that can be defined by the addition rate of alkali resistant glass fibre. At on end of the spectrum low dosages of dispersible fibres are used to control plastic shrinkages cracks in normal concretes (PCR).At the other end, integral fibres are used at high dosages levels to reinforce cement-rich mortars (GRC).
Fibre contents for different GRC product types (kg of fibre per m3 of concrete)
Most GRC products are manufactured by one of two processes – vibration Casting and Spraying.
The vibration cast form is normally referred to as "Premix GRC". Premix GRC is produced in a two stage process. A mixture of cement, sand, water and chemical admixtures is first prepared in a high speed mixer. Fibres are added in the second stage with a slower speed. The premix GRC. is then poured into moulds and compacted by vibration.
Sprayed GRC is sometimes called "Hand Spray GRC" or "Machine Spray GRC" depending on the method of manufacture. A mixture of cement, sand, water and admixtures is prepared in a high slurry mixer. This is then placed in a machine that conveys the slurry to a special spray gun where the fibres are added to the nozzle as the GRC material is sprayed onto a mould.
A third production process called "Spray Premix" is also often used for the manufacture of smaller elements and the application of renders.
| Property | Hand or Machine Spray |
Vibration Cast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Fibre (weight %) | Mpa | 5 | 3 |
| Bending: | |||
| Ultimate Strength (MOR) | Mpa | 20-30 | 10-14 |
| Elastic Limit(LOR) | Mpa | 7-11 | 5-8 |
| Tensile: | |||
| Ultimate Strength (UTS) | Mpa | 8-11 | 4-7 |
| Elastic Limit (BOP) | Mpa | 5-7 | 4-6 |
| Shear: | |||
| Interlaminar Strength | Mpa | 3-5 | N.A |
| In-Plane Strength | Mpa | 8-11 | 4-7 |
| Compressive Strength | Mpa | 50-80 | 40-60 |
| Impact Strength | kj/m2 | 10-25 | 10-15 |
| Elastic Modulus | GPa | 10-20 | 10-20 |
| Stain to Failure | % | 06.6-1.2 | 0.1-0.2 |
Columns are those essentials parts of every architectural creation, which provide sturdiness to the structure and hold it upright for years. Now, with GRC you can only provide the strength but also add more aesthetic value to them.
Beautiful columns with pedestials to design grand entrances and porticos. Combinations of staright columns and capitals to create show pieces or masterpieces for interiors. Fabulous Classical columns in Roman or Greek architectural style…… Virtually beyond one's imagination. Columns can be fluted, pain, straight or tapered.
GRC helps you renovate old and decrepit construction easily with the help of different kinds of panels that can be fixed over the earlier surfaces. What's more, these panels – created to match what you have in mind are extremely easy to fix and surprisingly easier to maintain.
Panels made from GRC need no painting. They need no plastering and can be fixed directly over brickwork, block work or masonr y with stainless steel fixtures. (Dry cladding) Large panels can be ribbed with extra GRC for more strength. Uneven walls can be made uniform as GRC panels are fixed using the dry cladding method. Carved, decorative panels for interiors and exteriors. Sandwich panels can replace conventional walls with stud frames. Curved panels of required sizes can also be cast in GRC.
Beautiful arches are the identifying features of great architectural sophistication. They neatly underline the grandeur of the creation, which they ate a part of. With GRC, you can now create such huge arches, even the ones with a stone-like effect, without spending much time and effort. Faster construction on any kind of structure.
Structure can be RCC or structural framework; GRC allows cladding on either. GRC cladding can be double sided-both outside and inside. Huge arches of up to 15 meters are possible. These arches provide scope for carvings to be done on them.
Cantileverd structures need brackets on the inside to support and uphold them. These Brackets need to be decorative, as plain or crude brackets will lower the aesthetic value of their beautiful interiors. Fortunately, Brackets made of GRC can plug all these needs and add to the beauty of interiors. Even an old, existing structure can be beautified by a judicious use of brackets. Brackets made of GRC add aesthetic appeal to elevated structures. GRC brackets can incorporate traditional design architecture apart from modern carving designs.
Single sided brackets can be fixed with great ease to match the design requirements, as per the site conditions.
Indian and Mughal architectures primarily use domes in various creations. Such domes have a magnificent appeal, especially in large buildings and religious places but because of their semi-spherical structure, it takes a lot of time and effort to construct them. GRC makes this chore of building domes, a virtual architectural bliss.
Domes made of GRC exert lesser load on the structure, as they are lightweight and thus safer. They reduce the cost of RCC and foundation, since they are fixed on steel structures. They are relatively easy to install.
Structures like Mosque, which have several small domes, are much faster to construct since multiple domes can be cast out of a single mould. This method is much faster than constructing each dome individually.
Think of royalty on the exteriors of any architectural structure and your mind takes a sudden flip towards the refined curves and carvings of dainty cornices, From Mughal, British to the most admired Roman architecture, cornices have always reflected the beauty of every creation.
The chore it takes to create cornices have hitherto kept them away from modern architecture. But now, with GRC, architects can exhibit their sophistication in creating cornices in an incredibly less amount of time. Enhance the appearance of every architecture. Easy and faster to create.
Jharokas or screens are elements of traditional architecture that make every hollow in a wall seem much more than just a passage for light and air. Literally speaking, they are the make up for walls and glorify their very presence. Now, the fine art of making intricate patterns on them has become much easier with GRC.
Creates extremely lightweight and thin yet durable screens. Jharokas with intricate designs and carvings provide a lovely light & shadow effect when the sunlight passes through them.
A Window without decorative surrounds is like a beautiful neck without any ornaments….. no value addition to the beauty of the creation! GRC makes it possible for you to create attractive window surrounds that enhance the beauty of your window. Possibility of having carved, shaped and moulded window side panels. Gives the window a distinct identity in the entire evation. Fixing them on is very easy and fast.
