Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) – Definition and various advantages

Glass fiber reinforced concrete belongs to an engineered material that comprises of cement, polymers, and glass fibers. These materials are implanted in the cementious matrix. The GFRC properties are impacted by the glass contents, mix design, and production process. GFRC is mostly suitable for outside applications.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete is mainly a concrete material that employs glass fibers for the reinforcement, as an alternative to steel. Generally, the glass fibers have resistance capacity against alkali. Alkali resistant glass fiber is very useful because it provides a greater resistant to the ecological effects. GFRC is formed by amalgamating cement, glass fibers, and polymers. It is usually casted in thin sections. As the fibers are free from rust like steel, safeguarding concrete coat is not essential for controlling rust. The weight of thin and hollow products formed with GFRC is significantly lighter as compared to the usual pre-cast concrete. The material characteristics are impacted with the concrete reinforcement spacing, and the concrete reinforcement mesh.

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Benefits of using GFRC

• GFRC is made of minerals and it can’t be burnt easily. If it is uncovered to a flame, the concrete acts as a thermal regulator. It safeguards the materials set with it from the flame heat.
• These materials are reasonably lighter as compared to the traditional materials. Therefore, the process is quick and easy for installing them. Concrete may be formed in thin sections.
• Casting for GFRC can be done into any shape of columns, wall panels, domes, moldings, and fireplace surrounds.
• High strength is gained with GFRC as it is strong and resistant to cracking. It contains a high ratio of strength-to-weight. Therefore, the GFRC products are long-lasting and light. Due to light weight, the transportation costs are considerably less.
• GFRC is examined in the laboratory and also in the actual installations, and predicted to endure as long as pre-cast concrete. In several ecological conditions, like when uncovered to salts or moisture, GFRC is expected to function in a superior manner because of the non existence of steel reinforcement that may decay.
• GFRC is thin and tough, with weight being 75% to 90% less in contrast to solid concrete. Less weight reduces the load functional on the structure. The light weight and tough material facilitates suppleness in design, and minimizes the effect on environment.
• Superior strength improves the capability to undergo seismic loads.
• GFRC is less susceptible to weather effects and more defiant to freeze thaw than the normal concrete.
• Evaluation of GFRC to Precast Concrete.

The elasticity and compactness of the GFRC is better as compared to precast concrete. The proportion of cement to sand for GFRC is roughly 1:1, whereas for precast concrete it is 1:6. The glass fibers contained to reinforce the concrete creates significantly superior impact strength and reduces permeability to water and air as compared precast concrete. GFRC appears as a natural stone and allows the designer to have greater flexibility in form, color, and texture.

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