GRCA betters ties with TCS
01 March 2005
The International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA) is poised to become an integral part of The Concrete Society (TCS) in April, according to Ian Morrison, technical advisor of GRCA.
“The close relationship that the GRCA has enjoyed with The Concrete Society will become even closer this year when it becomes an integral part of The Concrete Society on April 1, as a special interest group,” he says.
As a result of this development:
• All GRCA members will become formal members of The Concrete Society and of a special interest group maintaining the identity GRCA;
• Administration of membership will be handled by The Concrete Society allowing GRCA committees to maintain and concentrate efforts on technical and marketing advances to the benefit of the membership as a whole;
• The organisation of seminars and congresses (for example the International Congress ‘GRC 2005’ in Hong Kong) and planning of research work will remain vested with the GRCA group;
“It is anticipated that this new structure will yield many benefits in terms of administrative efficiency, technical support and sharing of expertise; within this framework the GRCA and the GRC industry look forward to strong and continued development,” he adds.
Formed almost 30 years ago, the GRCA brings together all those with an interest in GRC with the following objectives:
• Exchange knowledge and experience concerning GRC;
• Promote GRC in all its valid applications and advance the interests of members;
• Participate in establishing codes of practice and national standards covering manufacture and performance with representation on BSI, CEN and ACI committees; and
• Organise international conferences as a forum for discussing and disseminating GRC knowledge on materials, products and uses.
“The association is a prime source of information and independent advice and its publications, both technical and marketing, are highly regarded. The latest technical publication, the Practical Design Guide for Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, is a comprehensive 94-page document (provided on CD) covering material properties and design according to limit state principles,” says Morrison.
The GRCA has recently launched a new website (www.grca.co.uk) which provides further information on members, manufacturing methods and products.
The GRCA operates an approved manufacturers scheme (AMS) with the objective of providing independent assessment of the capability of a scheme member to manufacture GRC products in accordance with international best practice and recognised procedures. This is becoming an important strength of the association with a growing number of participating companies.
The GRCA will hold its next international congress GRC 2005 at The Excelsior, Hong Kong from November 14 to 16
“The programme will be an ideal opportunity for those interested in the field to obtain the latest information on the science, production and use of glassfibre reinforced concrete, and to meet materials and equipment suppliers and acknowledged experts in the field,” says Morrison.
The technical programme features papers on a wide variety of GRC topics and includes site and factory visits and a full programme. Themes and activities to be covered in the Congress include:
• Innovation and research;
• New applications and projects;
• Market development;
• Production technology;
• Merit awards;
• Design and standards;
• Factory and site visits; and
• Exhibition.
Elaborating on GRC and how it is produced, Morrison says: “GRC continues to be widely used in the Gulf region. Its versatility as a building material offers exciting possibilities for architects and engineers. Composed of cement, sand, water, normal admixtures and special alkali resistant (AR) glassfibres, GRC is a thin, high-strength concrete with many applications in construction made by one of two main manufacturing processes – hand-spray or premix.
In the hand-spray process, the fibres and previously-mixed mortar slurry come together at the spray gun and the resulting stream is directed into an open mould, building up the thickness to typically 12 mm. In the premix process, the mortar is blended with pre-chopped glassfibres in the mixer. The mix is then formed into the desired product by casting with vibration, or wet spraying. For premix, the component thickness is normally greater than for hand-spray.
“The method chosen, spray or premix, is normally dictated by factors such as strength requirements, size of mould, or architects specification.
“As a general rule, larger items such as building cladding panels are normally sprayed whereas thicker or intricate mouldings, typically including sunscreens, are manufactured from premix GRC.”
Attractive solution
The usage of GRC is truly worldwide and although the material was developed in the UK, some of the most exciting examples are to be found in the Gulf region, Asia and the US. The extensive range of products made in GRC includes:
• Cladding panels, architectural elements, sunscreens and mouldings, whether providing an external skin to a building or as a functional or decorative addition, are perhaps the most visible examples of GRC products;
• Permanent formwork panels are used, particularly in the UK in bridge construction and also as sewer linings for the refurbishment of man-entry sewers using shells of GRC;
• Surface-water drain channels, cable ducting and fire-resistant ducting;
• Agricultural products and artificial rocks;
• Roof tiles and features simulating natural materials;
• Street furniture and sound barriers for road and rail; and
• Renders reinforced with glassfibres.
“It is the qualities of lightness of weight, mouldability, maintenance-free performance and ability to offer a wide variety of finishes that make GRC an attractive solution.
“The low weight of GRC elements, resulting from its thin section, is frequently the main benefit and can result in easier transport and installation, and even enable lighter support and foundation structures to be used,” he adds.
