About GRC
Glass-fibre Reinforced Concrete is the generic term for a high-strength composite stone made with cement mortar (primarily a mixture of cement, sandand a polymer) reinforced with alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibers .
Unreinforced concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. This is why reinforcement is added. Precast concrete is typically reinforced with steel, but precast concrete products are heavy because of their overall thickness.
The glass fibers used in GRC help give this unique compound its strength. Alkali resistant fibers act as the principle tensile load carrying member while the polymer and concrete matrix binds the fibers together and helps transfer loads from one fiber to another. Without fibers GRC would not possess its strength and would be more prone to breakage and cracking.
The term ‘concrete’ is technically correct but misleading because the glass fibres in the mortar greatly increase product strength while dramatically reducing product weight. This lightweight feature of GRC also makes it safer and easier to handle on site, and reduces loads on structures when installed.
The advantages and benefits of GRC
GRC combines the high strength of glass fibre with the rigidity of concrete. The resulting composite is a tough, rigid material that has a strength-to-weight ratio superior to most other commonly-used building products.
Other advantages and benefits of GRC include:
Glass-fibre Reinforced Concrete is the generic term for a high-strength composite stone made with cement mortar (primarily a mixture of cement, sandand a polymer) reinforced with alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibers .
Unreinforced concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. This is why reinforcement is added. Precast concrete is typically reinforced with steel, but precast concrete products are heavy because of their overall thickness.
The glass fibers used in GRC help give this unique compound its strength. Alkali resistant fibers act as the principle tensile load carrying member while the polymer and concrete matrix binds the fibers together and helps transfer loads from one fiber to another. Without fibers GRC would not possess its strength and would be more prone to breakage and cracking.
The term ‘concrete’ is technically correct but misleading because the glass fibres in the mortar greatly increase product strength while dramatically reducing product weight. This lightweight feature of GRC also makes it safer and easier to handle on site, and reduces loads on structures when installed.
The advantages and benefits of GRC
GRC combines the high strength of glass fibre with the rigidity of concrete. The resulting composite is a tough, rigid material that has a strength-to-weight ratio superior to most other commonly-used building products.
Other advantages and benefits of GRC include:
|
The reduced weight of GRC compared to steel reinforced concrete products provides environmental benefits. An assessment carried out as part of a UK government-DETR/Concrete Industry Alliance ‘Partners in Technology’ project compared two precast concrete and GRC products that fulfil the same function. The results show that GRC has a lower environmental impact (around 40% less). The main reasons for the reduced environmental impact of GRC compared to traditional precast concrete are:
- reduced cement usage per product
- reduced transport costs
All of these advantages and benefits make GRC an ideal material for the manufacture of planters, planter boxes, street furniture, architectural mouldings and panels.
The reduced weight of GRC compared to steel reinforced concrete products provides environmental benefits. An assessment carried out as part of a UK government-DETR/Concrete Industry Alliance ‘Partners in Technology’ project compared two precast concrete and GRC products that fulfil the same function. The results show that GRC has a lower environmental impact (around 40% less). The main reasons for the reduced environmental impact of GRC compared to traditional precast concrete are:
- reduced cement usage per product
- reduced transport costs
All of these advantages and benefits make GRC an ideal material for the manufacture of planters, planter boxes, street furniture, architectural mouldings and panels.
Contact Us Today
|
Copyright © 2017 Insitu GRC Ltd - The GRC Specialists Christchurch. All Rights Reserved
|
