Glass reinforced concrete
GRC where the element has to face the weather.
GRC is a cementitious material used externally where an element needs the appearance and durability of cast stone without the weight of solid concrete. It suits façade panels, screens, mashrabiya, copings, surrounds and repeated external detail.
We take GRC packages from panelisation and fixing design through mix development, mould-making, casting, curing, delivery and installation on site.
Scope
What the package covers.
Typical applications
- Façade panels and rainscreen elements
- Perforated screens and mashrabiya
- Window surrounds, copings and cills
- Balcony and parapet elements
- External columns, arches and feature detail
- Landscape and podium elements
Design inputs required
- Elevations, sections and panel geometry
- Structural grid and fixing zones
- Wind loading and movement criteria from the design team
- Surface finish, aggregate and colour reference
- Waterproofing and drainage strategy
- Site logistics and craneage availability
Interfaces we resolve
- Support steel, brackets and restraint fixings
- Movement joints and panel tolerances
- Water shedding, sealing and back drainage
- Junctions with glazing and cladding systems
- Penetrations for lighting and services
- Fixing access and installation sequence
Sequence
How the work runs.
- 01
Survey and setting-out
Structural survey to establish the real line and level the panels must sit against.
- 02
Shop drawings and engineering
Panelisation, fixing design, restraint and movement, issued for design team approval.
- 03
Material development
Mix design, reinforcement and surface finish developed against the specified requirements.
- 04
Samples and prototypes
Sample panels and, where the elevation warrants it, a visual mock-up.
- 05
Moulds and production
Mould manufacture, casting, curing and finishing to the approved reference.
- 06
Factory quality control
Dimensional, finish and fixing checks recorded panel by panel before despatch.
- 07
Logistics
Stillage design, protection and delivery sequenced to the installation elevations.
- 08
Installation and handover
Bracket setting-out, panel installation, sealing, inspection and record information.
Control
Where the risk actually sits.
Panelisation drives the price
Panel size, joint lines and repetition decide the tooling count and the crane cycle. We resolve panelisation with the design team before mould manufacture, which is where most GRC packages gain or lose money.
Mix and finish approved as a physical panel
Aggregate, colour and surface treatment are approved on a full sample panel viewed externally, then that panel is retained as the reference for production.
Fixings designed for adjustment
Brackets are designed with three-way adjustment so that structural tolerance can be absorbed without cutting or forcing a cast panel.
Before pricing
What we need to see.
Send what exists today. We will tell you what is still required rather than price around the gaps.
- Elevations and sections with panel intent
- Structural information at the fixing zones
- Wind load and movement criteria
- Finish and colour reference
- Programme, including crane and access windows
- Whether installation is in our scope
Questions
What clients ask about this scope.
Send your specification
Send the drawings and the specification.
Send the package drawings, the specification and the programme date. We will confirm what is buildable as drawn, what needs development and what we would need to see before pricing.