GFRC is an innovative material that was originally tested in Russia around 1940, but that was finally developed around the end of the 1970s in the United States. It is a compound made of a concrete matrix, water and aggregates with the addition of glass fibers to provide reinforcement. GFRC is mainly used to manufacture prefabricated elements and cladding panels for buildings’ façades.

 

 

Production

GFRC is cast by a spray-up method. During the process the glass fibers are placed inside a gun that cuts them up and casts them, together with the concrete, directly into the formwork. Their quantity is 5% of the weight. Such a process ensures that the orientation of all the glass fibers follows the two casting dimensions.

The panels are produced according to a daily cycle.

The production is divided into the following stages:

  • Production of the panel’s external surface using formworks that are expressly set up for the project in question;
  • The first marble chip surface is applied followed by a GFRC layer;
  • Joining the mechanical frame with the GFRC Skin;
  • Curing period of about 24 hours;
  • Demoulding;
  • Further curing for about 7 days;
  • Sanding and finishing;
  • Packaging and storage of the items while waiting to be delivered to the building site.