GRC, or Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, is a versatile composite material widely used by the concrete community. Combining cement mortar, alkali-resistant glass fibres and specialist admixtures (such as pozzolans and superplasticisers), these fibres act as micro-reinforcement. AR glass fibres enhances the durability of the concrete. Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete is widely used in civil and architectural applications due to its flexural and tensile strength and its ability to allow lightweight, thin sections, thanks to its expert composition.
GRC has a number of advantages, the most significant one being that it has a superior strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it 75-80% lighter than traditional concrete, making it ideal for large panels without adding significant structural load. It also offers unmatched durability, high resistance to corrosion, weather, fire, and cracking, and high design flexibility, making it ideal for modern and classical concrete panels, cladding, and decorative architectural features. This is because it allows for the formation of customised shapes. Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete is also a type of sustainable concrete, making it more attractive to environmentally-conscious projects than conventional concrete.
Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete can be moulded in a number of ways, including a
GRC has a wide range of applications within the construction industry and for concrete construction projects, including architectural cladding; decorative elements, such as fine details for sculptures, domes, and columns; furniture and interiors, including sinks, wall features, and vanity units; and civil components, such as urban infrastructure, barriers, and ducts. Getting concrete construction right is essential to ensure the quality and safety of your projects. For these applications within the construction sector, there are different ways in which GRC can be mixed, depending on your exact tasks and concrete design, for example:
Whilst traditional concrete is defined by its compressive strength, GRC is classified by reference to its MOR (Modulus of Rupture, or its flexural strength). The highest achievable MOR is typically achieved using the spray-up method. LOP, or the Limit of Proportionality, is the bending limit or stress point at which the material ceases to behave elastically. This is when micro-cracking will begin. For sprayed Grade 18 GRC, the LOP is typically between 5-10 N/mm².
There are a variety of GRC surface finishes, including a mechanical finish, pigmented GRC, exposed aggregate finish, textured ex-mould finish and smooth/polished ex-mould finish. This wide range of finishes is determined by how the concrete is moulded and is arguably GRC’s most significant architectural advantage.
At Oscrete, we offer both sprayed and premixed GRC solutions to ensure optimal flexibility for your applications. Our GRC range has 4 major offerings:
Our range also includes Cem-FIL products, which are alkali-resistant glass fibres used to strengthen glass-reinforced concrete. This ensures optimal strength and durability for all of your projects. We also have a fully equipped laboratory for mix design trials, new product development and product testing.
Click the button below to access the GRC section in our Product Selector and view the related DOPs and datasheets.
Product SelectorWith over 40 years of experience working with construction chemicals, Oscrete has become a trusted name in the construction and concrete sector, offering high-performance admixtures and powdered additives across the UK and Ireland. For more information about the GRC we offer, or about any of our other products, please feel free to contact us by clicking here. Alternatively, you can call us on 01274 086299 or email us at sales@oscrete.com. One of our team will be happy to help, responding promptly to ensure that you get the information you need, when you need it.
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