Glass Fibers
Glass fiber consists of 200-400 individual filaments, lightly bonded in order to form a stand. These stands can then be chopped into various lengths and be used for a variety of applications. The main industrial application of glass fibers is cement or mortar matrices reinforcing, used for thin-sheet products manufacture. The conventional mixing techniques for concrete only allow about 2% (by volume) of fibers of a length of 25mm to be used. The most common type of glass fibers used for general applications is e-glass. Polymers may also be added in the glass fiber mixes in order to improve physical properties such as moisture movement.
Advantages of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete
GFRC is an engineered material. Its properties can change depending upon the design of mix, fiber content, and the techniques used for manufacture. The use of GFRC has become popular due to its numerous favorable properties:
GFRC has been tested in the laboratory and also in the actual installations, and can be anticipated to survive as long as pre-cast concrete. In numerous environmental conditions, like when exposed to salts or moisture, GFRC is likely to function better due to the absence of steel reinforcement that may corrode.
Relatively light in weight compared to the traditional stones. Its installation is fast and comparatively simple.
GFRC has the characteristics to be cast into almost any shape.
GFRC consists of materials that are unlikely to burn. The concrete takes the role of a thermal regulator while exposed to fire and protects the materials from the flame heat.
GFRC is thin and strong, with weight being 75% to 90% less compared to solid concrete. Less weight facilitates easy and rapid installation, and also decreases the load applied on the structure. The light weight and tough material also minimizes the transportation expenditures, permits flexibility in design, and reduces the impact on environment.
Superior strength enhances the ability to endure seismic loads.
GFRC is less vulnerable to weather effects and more resistant to freeze thaw than the normal concrete.
Comparison of GFRC to Precast Concrete
The elasticity and density of the GFRC is greater than precast concrete. The cement to sand ratio for GFRC is approximately 1:1, while for precast concrete it is 1:6. The glass fibers included to reinforce the concrete produce considerably greater impact strength and lower permeability to water and air than precast concrete. GFRC looks like a natural stone and permits the designer greater flexibility in form, color, and texture
Glass fiber consists of 200-400 individual filaments, lightly bonded in order to form a stand. These stands can then be chopped into various lengths and be used for a variety of applications. The main industrial application of glass fibers is cement or mortar matrices reinforcing, used for thin-sheet products manufacture. The conventional mixing techniques for concrete only allow about 2% (by volume) of fibers of a length of 25mm to be used. The most common type of glass fibers used for general applications is e-glass. Polymers may also be added in the glass fiber mixes in order to improve physical properties such as moisture movement.
Advantages of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete
GFRC is an engineered material. Its properties can change depending upon the design of mix, fiber content, and the techniques used for manufacture. The use of GFRC has become popular due to its numerous favorable properties:
GFRC has been tested in the laboratory and also in the actual installations, and can be anticipated to survive as long as pre-cast concrete. In numerous environmental conditions, like when exposed to salts or moisture, GFRC is likely to function better due to the absence of steel reinforcement that may corrode.
Relatively light in weight compared to the traditional stones. Its installation is fast and comparatively simple.
GFRC has the characteristics to be cast into almost any shape.
GFRC consists of materials that are unlikely to burn. The concrete takes the role of a thermal regulator while exposed to fire and protects the materials from the flame heat.
GFRC is thin and strong, with weight being 75% to 90% less compared to solid concrete. Less weight facilitates easy and rapid installation, and also decreases the load applied on the structure. The light weight and tough material also minimizes the transportation expenditures, permits flexibility in design, and reduces the impact on environment.
Superior strength enhances the ability to endure seismic loads.
GFRC is less vulnerable to weather effects and more resistant to freeze thaw than the normal concrete.
Comparison of GFRC to Precast Concrete
The elasticity and density of the GFRC is greater than precast concrete. The cement to sand ratio for GFRC is approximately 1:1, while for precast concrete it is 1:6. The glass fibers included to reinforce the concrete produce considerably greater impact strength and lower permeability to water and air than precast concrete. GFRC looks like a natural stone and permits the designer greater flexibility in form, color, and texture
