Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC (GRC Internationally)) 03490
A composite material created with cement, fine aggregate, admixtures, water and alkali resistant glass fiber reinforcement. GFRC is typically batched, sprayed into the face of a mold and backed up with steel stud framing which provides simplified connections and reduced overall weight.
These products are lighter and thinner than an architectural precast alternative, making them more valuable when working in thin-wall applications on tight-knit structures or projects with weight limitations.
Glass fiber reinforcement results in a product with much higher flexural and tensile strength than normal concrete, allowing its use in thin-wall casting applications. GFRC is a lightweight, durable material that can be cast into nearly unlimited shapes, colors and textures. There are two basic processes used to fabricate GFRC, the Spray-Up process and the Premix process.
Typical applications of this product include cornice assemblies, cladding, column covers, specialized decorative shapes etc.
Spray-up Method: A specialized gun is used that sprays a fluid concrete mixture and simultaneously cuts and sprays glass fibers into a mold.
Premix Method: Glass fibers are mixed into the fluid concrete mixture and then poured into a mold.
Photos: This page: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Advanced Architectural Stone; Thumbnail: Populus Hotel, Unlimited Designs
