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Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC)
GFRC is a cement-based composite, reinforced with glass fiber.
Fibers are usually used in concrete to control plastic shrinkage
cracking and drying shrinkage cracking. They also lower the
permeability of concrete and thus reduce bleeding of water.
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete is similar to concrete in
its characteristics, but it is 80% lighter. GFRC is finished
in a wide selection of colors and textures, eliminating finishing
costs and reducing the maintenance cost since there is no
need for painting.
Mainly for exterior use, GFRC is ideal for building facade
panels, domes, columns and other architectural details traditionally
made from precast concrete. GFRC is easily molded into desired
shapes with clean lines and sharp details.
Some types of fibers produce greater impact, abrasion and
shatter resistance in concrete. Generally fibers do not increase
the flexural strength of concrete, so it can not replace moment
resisting or structural steel reinforcement. Some fibers reduce
the strength of concrete.
Early conventional borosilicate glass caused reduction in
concrete strength due to alkali reactivity with the cement
paste. Alkali resistant glass fibers (AR glass) were then
produced resulting in long term durability, but other strength
loss trends were observed. Better durability result was observed
when AR glass is used with newly developed low alkaline cement.
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