REPORT GFRC
REPORT GFRC
REPORT GFRC
A SEMINAR REPORT
Submitted by
Tarun Pahal
Jasjeet Saluja
of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
In
CIVIL ENGINEERING
A Complete Study
About GFRC
Introduction
When loaded, the micro cracks propagate and open up, and owing
to the effects of stress concentration, additional cracks form in places
of minor defects. The structural cracks proceed slowly or by tiny
jumps because they are retarded by various obstacles, changes of
direction in bypassing the more resistant grains in the matrix. The
development of such micro crack is the main cause of inelastic
deformation in concrete.
It has been recognised that the addition of small, closely spaced and
uniformly dispersed fibres to concrete would act as crack arrester and
would substantially improve its static and dynamic properties. This
type of concrete is known as fibre reinforced concrete. Glass fibres do
the same effect and perform better than any other fibres.
.
Properties of GFRC
Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) is a cement-based material
that is becoming a popular material because of its many advantages
over its counterparts. Some of these advantages include easy
customization, water resistance, and lightweight. GFRC can also be
customized depending on the requirements of the project by
modifying the materials used and their corresponding amount.
GFRC derives its strength from a high dosage of AR glass fibres and
a high dosage of acrylic polymer. While compressive strength of
GFRC can be quite high (due to low water to cement ratios and high
cement contents), it is the very high flexural and tensile strengths that
make it superior to ordinary concrete. Essentially the high dose of
fibres carries the tensile loads and the high polymer content makes the
concrete flexible without cracking.
Properties of GFRC
Components of GFRC
In order to resist tensile loads (and thus prevent the GFRC piece
from breaking or cracking), there needs to be a sufficient amount of
fibre present. Additionally, the orientation of the fibre determines how
effective that fibre resists the load. Finally, the fibre needs to be stiff
and strong enough to provide the necessary tensile strength. Glass
fibres have long been the fibre of choice due to their physical
properties and their relatively low cost.
3D Fibres
2D Fibres
This orients them in the plane that the tensile loads develop in.
While more efficient than 3D,2D reinforcing is still inefficient
because of the highly variable fibre orientation within a horizontal
plane. Additionally, most of the fibres lie outside the zone where the
tensile loads are the greatest (which is the best location to place
reinforcing so as to resist those tensile loads), this zone is always at
the bottom surface of a beam (or at the top in the case of a
cantilever).
i.) Plasticizers: - For GFRC to flow more easily for a given water-
cement ratio it is necessary to reduce the yield point(force
needed to start the mix moving) of the mix. Plasticizers do this
by absorbing on to the surface of the cement particles,
reducing the flocculation, thus aiding the dispersion and
reducing the drag, which increases the fluidity.
iii.) Polymers: - Polymers used are mainly white latex, usually acrylic
emulsion with approximately 50% solid content. The
recommended dosage is 5-6%(10-12% latex) by weight of
cement. The polymer must be resistant to alkali and UV
stable. They function by forming a network of flexible
polymer bridges between the brittle mineral ingredients,
helping them to bind together
Hybrid
Lightweight
Stromberg GFRC, thin yet strong, weighs 80% to 95% less than solid
concrete. This makes it easier and faster to install and reduces the load
on the buildings structure. The lighter weight and stronger material
also saves transport costs, allows more design freedom and, by using
less material, reduces environmental impact.
Superior Strength
GFRC is strong. For GFRC panels, this means it has the proven
ability to withstand seismic loads and hurricane winds. For
architectural elements, stronger means less chance for damage, easier
to install and longer lasting.
Durable
GFRC lasts. It is less susceptible to weather erosion and more freeze
thaw resistant than conventional concrete. The use of glass fibres for
reinforcement rather than steel means it cannot rust and can even be
used under salt water and in marine environments.
Beautiful
GFRC provides the look and feel of natural stone, architectural
precast concrete, terra cotta, wood or smooth panels. It allows the
designer more freedom in shape, colour and texture than any material.
Disaster Resistant
Hurricanes, floods, fires and earthquakes are no match for GFRC.
Over the years it has proven itself both in the lab and in the real
world.
High strength
GFRC can have flexural strength as high as 4000 psi and it has a very
high strength-to-weight ratio.
Reinforcement
Since GFRC is reinforced internally, there is no need for other kinds
of reinforcement, which can be difficult to place into complex shapes.
Consolidation
For sprayed GFRC, no vibration is needed. For poured, GFRC,
vibration or rollers are easy to use to achieve consolidation.
Toughness
GFRC doesn't crack easily—it can be cut without chipping.
Surface finish
Because it is sprayed on, the surface has no bug holes or voids.
Adaptability
Sprayed or poured into a mould, GFRC can adapt to nearly any
complex shape, from rocks to fine ornamental details
Sustainable
Because it uses less cement than equivalent concrete and also often
uses significant quantities of recycled materials (as a Pozzolanas),
GFRC qualifies as sustainable
Cost
GFRC as a material, however, is much more expensive than
conventional concrete on a m2basis. But since the cross sections can
be so much thinner, that cost is overcome in most decorative
elements.
Fire resistant
GFRC structures are not only resistant to fire but also it insulates the
heat from surroundings entering through it. It is an excellent heat
insulator.
Disadvantages of GFRC
1. GFRC claddings: -
GFRC is one of the most popular materials used for creative
prefabricated architectural cladding. GFRC’s ability to be
moulded into thin, lightweight panels with a wide variety of
shapes, forms and surface finishes make the materials suitable
for making beautiful claddings for the buildings. GFRC
cladding panels are generally manufactured by the ‘Hand Spray’
technique.
2. GFRC Landscaping:-
Landscaping features such as Seating, planters, receptacles,
kiosks, bollards, signs, statues and fountains are being made in
GFRC with its ability to tailor shape, form and surface finish
and to be aesthetically compatible with the chosen
environment. GFRC is used to create rock spaces, replica
buildings, simulated environments for animals, and much more
3. GFRC Roofing:-
GFRC 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. GFRC can be
moulded 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.
GFRC Roofing’s
4. GFRC Renovation:-
GFRC is an ideal material for use in renovation. Thin
lightweight panels are easy to fix and minimise 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. GFRC’s
ability to be moulded and finished with natural materials means
that traditional architectural forms can be maintained when
required.
5. GFRC Flooring:-
GFRC 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, GFRC can provide a pre-finished moulded edge
while simplifying construction. On ground floor concrete slabs,
insulated GFRC edge formwork can help in minimising heat
loss from the building in cold climates. Similarly, in wall
construction insulated GFRC 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.
GFRC Flooring
Cast-in colours
Stains:
Glazes
Paint
Smooth
Sandblasted
Honed
Exposed Aggregate
Coral Stone
Wood Grain
Brick
Terra Cotta
Carved details
1. Google.com
2. Scribd.com