Production of fiberglass concrete sanitary protection zone. How to make a fiberglass fence. Glass fiber reinforced concrete fence installation technology

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Among the novelties in construction technologies, glass concrete is becoming more and more prominent. The simplest and most demanded in private construction of them is glass fiber reinforced concrete. It will be discussed in this article.

What is fiberglass concrete

Glass fiber reinforced concrete is a composition based on ordinary concrete filled with chopped glass fiber - that is, glass monofilament. Ordinary concrete filled with sand and gravel is characterized by low tensile and compressive strength, this is due precisely to the compactness of the filler grains: the concrete bursts along the grain boundaries. Long, chaotically located in the mass of the block and homogeneously mixed glass fibers - with a small cross section, but relatively large length - increase this indicator tenfold.

In ordinary reinforced concrete, the fragility is partially eliminated by iron reinforcement, which accepts tensile stresses, but it also makes the concrete heavier due to its own weight and due to the technological increase in block dimensions in order to protect the reinforcement from moisture and corrosion. Fiberglass, dispersed reinforcing block:

• has a total cross section greater than that of steel reinforcement bars,
• lighter than steel
• has a higher compressive/tensile strength than steel,
• not subject to corrosion, that is, there is no need to make the block larger than the actual load calculation provides.

All this makes it possible to obtain an objectively lighter and more compact glass fiber concrete block (and therefore less expensive) with the same strength characteristics as reinforced concrete. Surface polishing (depending on the thickness of the concrete layer, the nature of the location of the fibers and the properties of the fiber itself) creates original surface effects, up to the translucency of the material. It is beautifully colored both in mass (due to the introduction of a dye into the concrete mixture or colored fibers), and from the surface.

Disadvantages of SFB:

• low alkali resistance of the material: therefore, alkali-resistant glass fiber is used for foundations;
• “rigidity”: it must be laid very quickly, as it hardens faster than ordinary concrete.

What is the purpose of glass fiber reinforced concrete?

Compared to conventional concrete, fiberglass concrete has the following advantages:

• ease,
• tensile, compressive and bending strength,
• tensile strength is 5 times higher,
• impact strength is 15 times higher,
• frost resistance is increased up to 300 cycles.

The material is dense, fast-hardening and mechanically strong even in a relatively small layer (plates less than 1 cm thick can be made from it). This allows forming thin-walled and very strong products with a smooth surface.

The plasticity of a material based on fine-grained concrete-matrix (sometimes not containing sand at all) makes it possible to achieve textures with any given properties and parameters, imitate different materials, and obtain complex shapes. Facade decor made of fiberglass concrete is a great alternative to gypsum and concrete moldings and plasters.

Slabs of different thicknesses are used as hinged and ventilated facades, wall and cladding material, replace tiles, and are also used as a more promising floor material than ordinary reinforced concrete.

Due to its lightness, fiberglass concrete significantly reduces the load on load-bearing walls and foundations, allowing you to increase the number of storeys of buildings.

GRP construction

Composition and materials

Glass fiber reinforced concrete is made on the basis of Portland cement M 500-700 (white or gray), quartz fine sand and alkali-resistant fiberglass (roving).

In the preparation of SFB, aluminous cements can also be used.

Additives are used to improve the aesthetic, molding, technological, and operational properties of the material. Close glass fiber concrete on water or liquid glass.

The choice of binder is fundamentally important. In a stone based on aluminous cement reinforced with fiberglass, the crystallization of neoplasms is more intense, and the decrease in strength under equal conditions is less than in Portland cement composites.

Portland cement, when hydrated, turns out to be a strongly alkaline medium; it protects steel reinforcement from corrosion, but is aggressive to fiberglass.

The main component of the liquid phase of hardening Portland cement is calcium hydroxide, it has a corrosive effect on glass, and the silicon-oxygen framework is destroyed. Therefore, only alkali-resistant fiber is used for such glass fiber reinforced concrete, otherwise the environment will simply “eat” the glass fittings, resulting in an unreinforced block, albeit with a kind of “liquid glass” impregnation.

Concrete based on aluminous cement is much more dense, waterproof, resistant to aggressive environments.

The cost of aluminous cements is higher and it is more difficult to buy them.

The advantage is faster hardening and strength growth during hardening, as a result, they mature faster (3 days to design strength), glass monofilament is subjected to less chemical attack (the solution is chemically inert to glass fiber), and the construction speed is several times increased.

The disadvantage is the ability of these concretes to change strength over time. This must be taken into account when designing and the technological process must be strictly observed; alumina is less inclined to “forgive mistakes” than Portland cement.

For products dispersed-reinforced and sprayed, especially for interior and finishing purposes, high-strength building gypsum or plasters based on it are used. They have an almost neutral stone hardening environment. Inside gypsum, steel reinforcement is susceptible to corrosion due to moisture (and later - the hygroscopicity of the material itself), for fiberglass, the hydration environment is inert. Products made of fiber-reinforced gypsum quickly gain strength, are fire-resistant and have low thermal conductivity.

Fiberglass is selected for a specific type of product in terms of chemical composition and strength - different types of glass allow you to do this. When choosing a roving, it is necessary to take into account the deformability, chemical resistance, strength, adhesion and linear expansion coefficient of glass monofilament. Most often, aluminoborosilicate, silicate, quartz, sodium-calcium-silicate, zirconium-silicate fibers are used.

Fiberglass made from zirconium-containing glass is the only alkali-resistant glass fiber listed.

Production technology

Fiberglass products can be made in several ways.

Air spray involves the use of a special pneumatic gun, which ensures the simultaneous application of chopped fiberglass and cement-sand mortar to the surface or form. The components of the mixture are mixed at the exit from the nozzle of the gun, the fiber is evenly “blown” into the solution, as a result, a homogeneous layer of glass fiber cement is placed in the mold.

The advantage of the method is that the solution can be prepared separately, the fibers are crushed in the gun just before mixing, the dosage of the material is clear, and the mixing is fast and uniform. The disadvantage is the cost of the equipment.

premix in a concrete mixer or by hand (for very small batches). The most affordable method in private housing construction, which allows you to make fiberglass concrete with your own hands. First, a cement-sand mortar is mixed in the mixer, obtaining concrete of the desired grade.

Chopped roving fiber (10%) is added to the prepared solution and mixing is continued for at least 5 minutes, after which the mixture must be immediately molded. It hardens faster than non-glass-filled, the addition of fiber makes it also “hard”, requiring additional compaction by punctures or vibration.

It is desirable to prepare fiberglass concrete in this way in small portions.

Vibroforming- not a mixture manufacturing option, but an additional homogenization option, used for the manufacture of small products or slabs. The concrete in the molds is vibro-compacted on the stand (you can do it yourself by attaching a movable tabletop to a mechanism that creates vibration), as a result, the fiber is evenly distributed in the mass.

Features of the manufacture of products from glass fiber reinforced concrete

For the manufacture of glass fiber reinforced concrete, you need to buy fiber roving (that is, non-twisted monofilament) in reels.

Glass roving is cut with scissors or cutters; when working with it, it is advisable to use a respirator and protective equipment for eyes and hands - as in working with glass wool.

Mix the crushed roving in the concrete carefully, in one direction, to achieve an even distribution of the fibers.

It is desirable to apply fiberglass concrete on the mold or formwork in thin layers and immediately pierce or use a vibrotamper - otherwise it is very difficult to remove the air.

It is problematic to pour a foundation from such concrete; rather, it is suitable for grillages and blocks.

If decorative tiles are needed, the mixture is manually poured into molds and compacted by vibration. Tiles with a smooth surface are obtained by pouring concrete into molds lined with polyethylene film, a polished surface is obtained by pouring concrete into a mold whose bottom is made of glass. Textured surfaces are created by pouring concrete into silicone molds.

In all cases, the form must be lubricated with mineral oil.

Production of glass fiber reinforced concrete products: video

And on this video you can get acquainted with the process of production of facade elements from fiberglass concrete more clearly:

Prices for fiberglass concrete

The main material on the market for the manufacture of fiberglass concrete is the dry mix "Runit". For comparison, we have also given in the table the cost of facade elements from SFB:

Combining aesthetics, manufacturability and strength, glass fiber reinforced concrete is becoming one of the main building materials, and its cost will decrease in the future. Its production is more environmentally friendly compared to reinforced concrete, and does not require the use of an irreplaceable resource - iron ore. All this makes fiberglass concrete the material of the future.

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Advantages and applications of fiberglass concrete, 3.8 out of 5 based on 16 ratings

Properties of fiberglass concrete.

Glassfiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) is a type of fiber-reinforced concrete and is made from a cement-sand mortar and fiberglass segments (fibers) reinforcing it, evenly distributed over the volume of the concrete of the product or its individual parts. SFRC is used in thin-walled elements and structures of buildings and structures, for which it is essential to: reduce its own weight, increase crack resistance, ensure concrete water resistance and durability (including in aggressive environments), increase impact strength and abrasion resistance, as well as increase architectural expressiveness and ecological cleanliness. SFRC is recommended for the manufacture of structures in which the following technical advantages can be most effectively used in comparison with concrete and reinforced concrete:

• Increased crack resistance, impact strength, wear resistance, frost resistance and weather resistance;
• Possibility of using more efficient design solutions than with conventional reinforcement, for example, the use of thin-walled structures, structures without bar reinforcement, etc.;
• The possibility of reducing or completely eliminating the consumption of steel reinforcement;
• Reducing labor and energy costs for reinforcing work, increasing the degree of mechanization and automation in the production of fiber-reinforced concrete structures, for example, prefabricated thin-walled shells, folds, ribbed roof slabs, monolithic and prefabricated floors of industrial and public buildings, fixed formwork structures, etc.

SFRC elements with fiber reinforcement are recommended for use in structures operating:

1. On a bend;
2. On compression at eccentricities of application of longitudinal force, for example, in elements of spatial overlaps;
3. Mainly for impact loads, abrasion and weathering.

Properties of SFB at vintage age.

Density according to GOST 12730.1-78	1700-1900 kg/m3
Impact strength (Charpy)	110-250 J/m2
Compressive strength according to GOST 10180-90	490-840 kg/cm2
Ultimate tensile strength in bending according to GOST 10180-90	210-320 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity according to GOST 10180-90	(1.0-2.5) 104 MPa
Axial tensile strength according to GOST 10180-90: conditional elastic limit / tensile strength	28-70 kg/cm2 / 70-112 kg/cm2
Elongation at break	(600-1200) 10-5 or 0.6-1.2%
Shear resistance: between layers / across layers	35-54 kg/cm2 / 70-102 kg/cm2
Thermal expansion coefficient	(8-12) 10-6 ºС-1
Thermal conductivity according to GOST 7076-90	0.52-0.75 W/cm2 ºС
Water absorption by weight according to GOST 12730.3-78	11-16%
Waterproof according to GOST 12730.5-78	W6-W12
Frost resistance according to GOST 10060.0-95	F150-F300
Combustibility according to GOST 12.1.044-89	Fireproof material, fire spread rate 0
Fire resistance according to GOST 30247.1-94	Higher fire resistance of concrete (better retains strength properties in case of fire 1000..1100 ºС)

Raw materials for fiberglass concrete.

The starting materials for the production of SFRC are: cement, sand, water, alkali-resistant glass fiber and chemical additives. Polymers, pigments, and other chemical additives can also be used with these base materials to achieve any special properties of SFRC.

Cement: For the production of SFB, Portland cement of a grade not lower than M400 is used. The choice of a specific type of Portland cement - ordinary (without additives), fast-hardening, colored - is dictated by the purpose of the SFRC product. The cement used must comply with generally accepted building codes. In Russia, Portland cement must comply with GOST 31108-2003 (this standard is identical to EN 197-1:2000, developed by the European Committee for Standardization). Portland cement according to GOST 10178-85 is also used in the production of SFRC, since GOST 31108-2003 does not cancel GOST 10178-85, which can be used in all cases where it is technically and economically feasible.

Sand: The choice of aggregate (sand) is very important for the production of quality GFRC. The sand must be pre-sifted and washed. The ingress of individual particles larger than 3 mm is not allowed (during the operation of equipment for the production of SFB, work without a sieve is not allowed). For manual pneumatic spraying of SFB, the fineness modulus should not exceed 2.5 mm (measurements are carried out in accordance with GOST 8735-88). Sand must meet the requirements of GOST 8736-93 in terms of grain composition, the presence of impurities and contaminants (measurements are carried out in accordance with GOST 8735-88). Quartz sands are most widely used in the production of SFRC. Quartz sand must meet the requirements of GOST 22551-77. In the composition of quartz sand, the fraction less than 150 microns should not exceed 10% (measurements are carried out in accordance with GOST 8735-88). Dried sand allows for easier control of the mix (this refers to the water/cement ratio) and is usually already purchased dry and then stored dry either in bags or bins.

Fiberglass: For fiber reinforcement of SFRC structures, fiber is used in the form of glass fiber segments with a length of 10 mm to 37 mm (the length of the fiber is taken depending on the dimensions and reinforcement of structures in accordance with VSN 56-97), made by cutting roving from alkali-resistant fiberglass - this is glass fiber with oxide additives zirconium ZrO 2 . The following glass fiber can be used, for example, from Fiber Technologies International Ltd. (Bristol, England), L’Industrielle De Prefabrication (Priest, France), Cem-Fil (Chicago, USA), NEG (Nippon Electric Glass, Tokyo, Japan), ARC-15 or ARC-30 (China) and others. Glass roving must comply with GOST 17139-2003. Glass roving during storage and in the process of work should not be exposed to moisture. The coil of wet glass roving before use must be dried at a temperature of 50-60°C for 0.5-1.5 hours to a weight moisture content of not more than 1%.

Water: For the production of SFB, water is used according to GOST 23732-79. In conditions of extreme temperatures, heating or, conversely, cooling water may be necessary.

Chemical additives: are widely used in the manufacture of SFB in order to influence the production process and improve a number of final properties of products. A plasticizer should be used to maintain the fluidity of the mixture when the water/cement ratio decreases. With the help of additives, it is also possible to accelerate, slow down or reduce water separation, regulate the water resistance of the material, and reduce the separation of the mixture. The choice of the most suitable additive also depends on some local factors, in particular the cement and sand used, as well as climatic conditions. Chemical additives must comply with GOST 24211-2003. Chemical additives are classified into groups:

1. Superplasticizers are highly effective thinners of concrete and mortar mixtures, which allow to increase their mobility several times without causing a decrease in the strength of concrete or mortar. With the introduction of superplasticizers, the water content in the cement-sand mixture is significantly reduced;
2. Air-entraining additives - increase the frost resistance of SFB and durability, increase mobility, salt resistance;
3. Antifreeze additives - ensure the preservation in cement-sand mixtures of the liquid phase necessary for hardening the cement paste;
4. Setting accelerators - are introduced at temperatures below +10ºС, to reduce the heat treatment regime, accelerate the setting and hardening of SFB;
5. Setting retarders - are introduced to increase the thickening time in dry and hot climates;
6. Water repellents - give SFB hydrophobic properties, the water-repellent effect is more pronounced.

Pigments: can be used to color either white or gray cements. In order to obtain a uniform color and a permanent coloration of the surface, pigments are applied to the front (so-called film) layer, which is then subjected to additional processing, usually by sandblasting or polishing.

Forms for glass fiber reinforced concrete products.

Molds can be made from a variety of materials that must be able to handle the required turnover, dimensional accuracy and surface finish. The material for the molds can be steel, plywood, fiberglass, rubber, polyurethane, silicone, and in some cases the SFRC itself. Molds can be made from a variety of materials, which must provide the required mold turnover, precision, and surface finish. The most common mold materials are:

1. Polyurethane (PU) molds. One of the most popular forms for the production of SFB products. Thanks to the flexible polyurethane molds, the initial shrinkage of the glass fiber reinforced concrete is compensated. Products can be demoulded without damaging both the molds themselves and the products themselves. The advantages of flexible molds are their high turnover and durability, quick demoulding of SFRC products, as well as improved surface quality of molded products and a lower rejection rate. Polyurethane molds make it possible to obtain SFRC products with “negative” angles. Polyurethane molds have the ability to maintain the specified dimensions and original geometry, withstand all the loads caused by the daily process of molding, stripping products, as well as movements of the mold itself. Polyurethane is produced by mixing the appropriate polyurethane components A and B. Typically, components A and B for polyurethane molds have a simple mixing ratio (1:1). Simple procedure for processing two components (components are mixed using a hand mixer). Can be processed at room temperature. Polyurethane molds are distinguished by a long service life (a large number of turnover cycles), high moisture resistance, an optimal combination of elasticity with strength characteristics with high tensile strength, chemical resistance to the alkaline environment of cement-sand mixtures and abrasion resistance, as well as high quality reproduction of the smallest details of the model with minimal shrinkage. To obtain the surface of SFB products that correspond to the profile of the mold, the latter must be lubricated with special compounds. To do this, prepare a grease release agent. For example, vaseline-stearin, melting stearin and technical vaseline in a water bath, followed by the addition of solar oil, mixing and cooling the lubricant, after which it is ready for use. It is also recommended to use for lubrication: stearin-paraffin paste (composition in percent - % by weight: paraffin - 19, stearic acid - 15, starch - 1, rosine - 65); water-oil emulsion lubricants based on EKS emulsol; water-based lubricants OE-2 or ESO; machine or transformer oil. It is allowed to use other lubricants that ensure the preservation of a high-quality surface of the material, for example, spindle oil lubricant has proven itself excellently in this capacity. The consistency of the lubricant should ensure the possibility of its mechanized application of SFB to the surface of the molds. All types of lubricants must comply with GOST 26191-84.
2. Fiberglass. Fiberglass molds are more durable than polyurethane molds and allow you to convey any texture of the product. The disadvantages of fiberglass molds include the impossibility of their use for the production of decorative products with a texture containing negative angles;
3. Steel. It is used in cases where multiple reuse of the mold is required in the production of, for the most part, standard SFB products. For example, massive panels without a complex texture (cladding, fixed formwork elements), simple flow-type products;
4. Wood. This is the simplest form material. Naturally, the quality of the surface of such a shape must be monitored and constantly monitored. The disadvantages of wood forms include the short-lived preservation of their correct geometry during repeated use (heat chamber cycles with high humidity, coupled with drying, can “lead” a wooden form). Of course, with the help of special processing compounds, it is possible to protect the form - and this must also be borne in mind;
5. Rubber (rubber, silicones). These are universal forms. Looks like polyurethane molds. A distinctive feature of such forms is the need to use a rigid base - "strapping" for fixation. It would be best to say that rubber molds are used as liners in a rigid base. A rigid base for rubber molds can be a wooden binding, a fiberglass base, less often a metal base. Molding rubbers can be in the form of sufficiently elastic sheets or blocks, in pasty form, in liquid form. The range of materials that can be used as a prototype is very diverse: metals, wax, glass, wood, plastics, modeling clay and any other materials. Rubbers are divided into hard and soft. Hard rubbers are good for making flat products. Soft rubbers make it possible to produce very voluminous, complex and filigree products, to remove them from the mold without damage. However, rubbers that are too soft are not able to withstand the pressure of the GFRC mixture, which can lead to deformation of the GFRC product itself. In such cases, to obtain a quality product, the rubber mold is fixed in a rigid metal case. The higher the elongation of the material, the easier it is to stretch the rubber mold to extract the SFRC product without damage. For high-quality hard rubbers - this value is about 200%, for soft ones - from 300% to 850%.
6. Other materials for forms. The above list is not exhaustive, and many other materials, including polypropylene, gypsum, and GFRC itself, can be successfully used to make molds.

Organization of the production site.

It is preferable to organize the production of SFB in a workshop, and not in an open area, since the temperature should not be lower than +10 ° C. The optimal temperature regime is in the range from +15 ° C to +30 ° C. The size of the workshop depends on the volume of production of SFB products , the minimum recommended workshop area should be at least 100 m 2.

To organize one post of SFB-production, the following are required:

• electricity with a capacity of at least 4 kW (excluding compressor power consumption), 3 phases, grounding;
• water;
• compressed air (1500-2000 l/min, pressure 6-9 bar);
• Equipment for glass fiber reinforced concrete "DUGA® S";.
• Additional equipment and fixtures (lifts, scales, spatulas, rollers for rolling the mixture).

If aging of GFRC products in a humid environment is used, an area should be provided in the workshop for storing GFRC products for one week. At the same time, it is important that temperature and humidity levels are controlled in this area. The presence of a site for thermal and moisture treatment at the SFB production is desirable, but optional. The site for thermal and moisture treatment of newly produced GFRC products will reduce the turnaround time of molds, as well as increase the characteristics of SFRC products.

SFRC products are thinner and therefore much lighter than similar products made from conventional concrete (if we consider the same compressive and flexural strengths), they are still too heavy to be moved manually, so it should be possible to use appropriate lifting mechanisms.

The preparation of cement-sand mortars for dispersed-reinforced SFRC is carried out in forced action paddle mixers, for example, such as SO-46B and others. Containers are used for the preparation and storage of working solutions of additives.

The ratio of aggregate (sand) to cement is taken equal to one with the possibility of further adjustment and depends, in the general case, on the type of GFRC product, its dimensions, conditions for using GFRC products, etc. The calculation of the water-cement ratio and its adjustment are carried out in accordance with VSN 56-97. The water-cement ratio (without the use of plasticizing additives) is usually in the range of 0.40 - 0.45. With the use of plasticizing additives, the water-cement ratio changes to 0.28 - 0.32.

After the initial raw materials are selected, the composition of the mixture is selected taking into account the following recommendations:

• water-cement relationship. It should be as low as possible, but at the same time the mixture should remain sufficiently mobile for it to be supplied by a mortar pump and subsequent pneumatic spraying. The water-cement ratio of the cement-sand mortar used for the manufacture of SFB must correspond to the optimal viscosity (mobility P4-P5) corresponding to the draft of a standard cone according to GOST 5802-86 “Construction mortars. Test Methods". In general, the water-cement ratio has a complex dependence and depends on the active cement grade, the coefficient of normal density of the cement paste, the water demand coefficient of sand and the design coefficient of glass fiber reinforced concrete for compression.

• The ratio of sand and cement. The 1:1 ratio is the most widely used at present. The ratio adjustment is carried out in accordance with VSN 56-97.

• Glass fiber content or reinforcement ratio. This is the percentage of the weight of fiberglass to the weight of the entire composite - SFB, that is, taking into account the mass of the fiberglass itself. For manual air spray, this ratio is typically 3 to 6%, sometimes higher. The calculation of the reinforcement coefficient is carried out in accordance with VSN 56-97.

Typical composition of the mixture. The SFRC manufacturer can develop its own mixture composition that meets its specific requirements for the production of SFRC products and is consistent with VSN 56-97.

Consider the recipe, which is called "classic" as the most commonly used. The “classic” recipe is the following composition for one conditional batch, the amount of fiberglass is 5%:

* - the dosage depends on the concentration, therefore, for the same amount of cement used, it may be different. The dosage is indicated by the additive manufacturer.

The weight of the entire solution is = 50+50+16+0.5=116.5 kg, then the content of 5% fiberglass is 6 kg.

To obtain a homogeneous mixture, it is necessary to accurately weigh the raw materials and strictly follow the basic requirements when working with a mixer. Before starting the preparation of the mixture, the required quantities of sand and cement must be accurately weighed using a balance (see the section "Additional devices"). The dosage of water and liquid additive can be done by weight, volume, or, preferably, using a special dosing automatic device.

Detailed recommendations on the application of glass fiber reinforced concrete, preparation, use, stripping and washing of molds, maintenance and preservation of equipment are indicated in the passport for the complex for glass fiber reinforced concrete. "DUGA® S" and technological instructions for working with glass fiber reinforced concrete from the documentation set for the equipment.

The trends of modern architecture are such that the approaches responsible for the attractiveness and expressiveness of residential and public buildings are constantly being modernized and modified.

The current market is replete with all kinds of building materials, in addition, you can constantly see interesting new products that immediately find their niche with the consumer. Such new building materials in recent years can be safely attributed to glass fiber reinforced concrete or SFB for short.

SFRC is a modern composite composition based on fine-grained concrete, some call it artificial stone, which has the most unique operational and technical characteristics. What is it that captivates the modern buyer with glass fiber reinforced concrete and why this building material has gained such popularity among buyers?

Firstly, this is a very democratic and acceptable price of SFB for mass construction.

Secondly, the high quality of this building material is no longer in doubt and has been tested in practice.

And, thirdly, fiberglass concrete does not have worthy competitors at this stage among similar building materials according to the classification.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete and its possibilities

The properties of fiberglass concrete as a modern building material are very impressive:

The ductility of SFRC makes it possible to manufacture all kinds of decorative elements, volumetric and curvilinear structures, large-sized panels and other complex details, as required by each individual architectural task;

The texture and color scheme of fiberglass concrete suggests almost the entire range of shades, in addition, it has such qualities that do not allow changing the original color over time;

It is not subject to the appearance of any significant defects during operation, and the solid structure promises a long service for more than one decade, which is confirmed by the test report;

Since glass fiber reinforced concrete (SFB) is reinforced with fiberglass, it completely lacks such a component as metal, so it is not subject to corrosive processes;

Completely waterproof (W20);

It is not afraid of fire, does not change its characteristics even in conditions of a strong fire, which is confirmed by tests;

The low weight of SFRC significantly outperforms all of its construction competitors;

Frost-resistant - up to 500 cycles and more if necessary;

Inert to chemicals;

SFB is a completely clean material from the environmental point of view, and also, it is transparent to electromagnetic radiation;

It has unique qualities in comparison with ordinary concrete: impact resistance is 20 times higher, bending strength is 5 times higher, tensile strength is 5 times higher, compressive strength is 4 times higher. Seismically resistant.

GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) has found wide application in the manufacture of decorative elements for building facades: columns, porticos, capitals, pilasters, stucco decoration, sculptural elements. SFB is also used in landscape design and urban improvement.

The composition of glass fiber reinforced concrete

Already by the name, we see that three components predominate in this building material:

1) sand as the main aggregate;

2) alkali-resistant fiberglass;

3) high grade white cement. Various additives are also added to SFB - to give color, texture, additional characteristics.

Fiberglass reinforces concrete in such a way that a uniform distribution of fibers is obtained throughout the body of the material. As a result, we have a building material that has the properties and characteristics of each individual component. But in general, it is better in all technical characteristics than ordinary concrete.

Technical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced concrete are given in the table

№	Name	Parameter values
1	Density (dry)	105 - 140 (pcf)	1700 - 2250 kg/m3
2	Impact strength (Charpy)	60 - 140 (inlb/in2)	1.10 - 2.5 kg mm/mm2
3	Compressive strength(edgewise)	7000 - 12000 (psi)	49.0 - 84.0 MPa
4	Flexural Tensile Strength (EFU)	3000 - 4600 (psi)	21.0 - 32.2 MPa
5	Elastic modulus	(1.5 - 3.2) x l0 6 (psi)	1.0 - 2.5 x 10 4 MPa
6	* Axial tensile strength:
	* Conditional elastic limit (ETY)	400 - 1000 (psi)	2.8 - 7.0 MPa
	* Ultimate Tensile Strength (ETU)	1000 - 1600 (psi)	7.0 - 11.2 MPa
7	elongation at break	0,6 - 1,2 %	(600 - 1200) x10 5
8	* Shear resistance:
	* between layers	500 - 800 (psi)	3.5 - 5.4 MPa
	* across layers	1000 - 1600 (psi)	7.0 - 10.2 MPa
9	Thermal expansion coefficient at t°=77-115 F	(4-7) x l0 6 (in/in/desF)	8 x 10 6 -12 x 10 6 1/deg
10	Thermal conductivity	3.5 - 7.0 (Btu/in/hr/ft2/degF)
11	Water absorption hang	11 - 16 %
12	Waterproof according to GOST 12730	W6 - W20
13	Frost resistance according to GOST 10060	F150 - F300
14	fire resistance	higher fire resistance of concrete
15	Combustibility	fireproof material; fire spread rate-0

Physical and mechanical properties of SFB (glass fiber reinforced concrete)

Density, kg/m3		1600-1800
Modulus of elasticity, MPa		0,010-0,015
Adhesion to concrete base, MPa		0,5
Tensile strength, MPa:
When bending		18-25
Tensile		5-8
When compressed		40-60
Water resistance (filtration coefficient), cm / sec		10-8-10-10
Frost resistance, cycles		300
fire resistance		NG(fireproof)

Glass fiber reinforced concrete is a reliable and lightweight building material that can be used in various areas of architecture. For example, for decorating facades. It enjoys a good reputation in the construction industry due to its unique features and characteristics. For more than 20 years it has been actively used in Russia.

In terms of strength, it exceeds ordinary concrete, due to which it has a wider scope. Today we will consider the composition, properties, features, advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass concrete. Let's determine whether it really makes sense to use it as an alternative to conventional concrete, or whether its relevance is still in doubt.

What is glass fiber reinforced concrete made of and what are its properties

Without delving into minor details, there are three main components of glass fiber reinforced concrete.

1. High strength white cement. The strength and durability of the material depends on its quality.
2. Alkali resistant fiberglass. It is sprayed with a special gun under pressure, connecting with the cement mixture.
3. Various kinds of hardeners and plasticizers, which make it more flexible and allow faster hardening.

To connect the solution and prepare the mass, water is also needed. Sometimes basalt fiber can be used. But this is possible only in certain ratios of thickness and functional load on the finished block. The use of alkali-resistant fiberglass in the glass fiber reinforced concrete product increases the resistance to damage.

The price of fiberglass concrete is not so high in comparison with other materials. Therefore, it has strong competitiveness in the building materials market.

In the production of fiberglass concrete, shrinkage necessarily occurs. Its percentage is especially high at the stage of hardening. To some extent, the percentage of shrinkage can be controlled by selecting the ratio of cement and water. Shrinkage also causes cracking. They are reduced by increasing the fiber content or by using dispersed reinforcement.

In addition to the described components, the modern method of production of fiberglass concrete may involve various mineral additives in order to ensure the rheology of the concrete mixture.

There are products with fiber reinforcement - fiberglass is used for their reinforcement. It is evenly divided over the cement layer. As well as products with combined reinforcement - when reinforcing them, additional components can also be used. For example, rod, wire, steel fittings.

Characteristics of fiberglass concrete

Glass fiber reinforced concrete is distinguished by its high characteristics of strength and lightness. Let's consider in more detail.

• The increased density of the material, which reaches 2550 kg / m3.
• Compressive strength is higher than usual - up to 840 kg / cm2.
• Modulus of elasticity - (1.0-2.5) 104 MPa.
• Fire resistance. The material is fire resistant, superior to standard concrete.
• Frost resistance is 4 times higher than ordinary concrete.
• Combustion is a non-combustible material.
• Absolute resistance to moisture - do not absorb moisture.
• Elongation at material failure - up to 1.2%
• High production speed.

As can be seen from these indicators, fiberglass concrete is superior to ordinary concrete, which means it has a higher building potential. In many areas, it is much more profitable to use it than conventional mixtures, despite its cost.

Advantages of fiberglass concrete and properties

Consider the main advantages of this material with a specific explanation.

• Relatively light weight. Due to this, fiberglass panels (and other products) are easily transported and do not cause difficulties during installation.
• Reducing the load on the structure. This quality will save on additional strengthening of the foundation.
• Easily formed, repeats small details and is suitable for creating different textures. Therefore, decorative glass fiber reinforced concrete is often used for reconstruction and restoration work of various types.
• The possibility of obtaining any color by adding various pigments, as well as depending on the color of the fillers of the material.
• Environmentally friendly material. The use of fiberglass concrete is completely safe for human health.
• Material resistance to corrosion and extreme weather conditions.

The advantages of fiberglass concrete are many. Now fiberglass concrete is more often used in the construction of multi-storey buildings, since it is lighter. It is possible to significantly expand the creative ideas of architects, in comparison with the construction of reinforced concrete.

Spheres of use of fiberglass concrete

The optimal combination of technical features makes glass fiber reinforced concrete applicable in various fields. In addition to the construction of multi-storey buildings, it can be used in the following cases:

• For design products. When there is a non-standard task with unusual requirements.
• As a building cladding material. At the same time, new panels are simply superimposed on top of the existing building material.
• During serial construction. Ease of installation of glass fiber reinforced concrete, allows you to build building structures at high speed. It can be shopping arcades, cafes, shops and other objects. Glass fiber reinforced concrete for the facade can be used effectively both in the original and in standard construction, if such a task is required.

Also, the material is used in cases where the height of the room is too limited and it is necessary to realize high strength with a minimum thickness of the ceiling and floor. In general, it can replace ordinary concrete everywhere, the only question is profitability.

GRP elements

This material allows you to make any decorative elements with high quality construction and durability. Here are some examples:

• facing panels for exterior and interior decoration;
• building columns;
• facade stones of various shapes, for example, socle, closed;
• window sills of residential and industrial facilities;
• decorative items made to order;
• railings on columns and loggias.

Fiberglass concrete can also be used in landscape design. At the same time, he can realistically recreate a number of other materials: from cork to bronze details.

For the installation of glass fiber reinforced concrete, different installation tools are used, designed for specific conditions. When selecting funds, the following requirements should be considered:

• fastening reliability;
• ensuring uniform joints;
• uniform load distribution over the maximum area;
• structural integrity during wind, strong vibration, mechanical stress.

When installing, always take into account:

1. service life of the fastening system;
2. the weight of the panels used;
3. the number of support and fixing nodes.

If you follow all the necessary requirements and take into account the characteristics of the material, building elements made of fiberglass concrete will not fail for many years.

Disadvantages of fiberglass concrete

From all of the above, it follows that fiberglass concrete has a whole range of positive qualities. But there are also downsides to using it.

• Lack of alkali resistance. To compensate for this shortcoming, it is enough to use glass fiber during construction.
• The solution hardens very quickly. This can really become a serious problem. Fiberglass concrete needs to be laid very quickly. Requires higher speed compared to conventional concrete.
• Change in strength over time. Also a serious drawback of this type of concrete

But there are more positive aspects, and the shortcomings can be compensated for by additional funds, or simply taken into account initially when preparing the project. Judging by the current rate of growth in the use of decorative glass fiber reinforced concrete, this material is expected to become widespread. It is increasingly becoming the choice of architects to extend the life of their creations and enhance their aesthetic appeal.

The history and nature of the emergence of such a material as fiberglass goes, as seasoned historians would say, "roots" in antiquity, and if even more figuratively, then "straw" to the East. From the very time when a reasonable person began to use this building material for the construction of his simple, but already quite reliable dwelling (shelf life up to 25 years) - it can be considered the beginning of the development of fiberglass production technology. Liquid clay, well mixed with chopped straw particles (and sometimes fresh pet dung), oddly enough, is still the building material for many oriental cultures. This material is called, which is made handicraft and manually, more precisely “feet” - adobe *. In the East, adobe often replaces expensive wood, no less expensive bricks and concrete blocks. Noticing the property of straw to “fasten” clay particles, to prevent clay in such a composition from falling apart, the ancient architects subsequently learned to use the reinforcement of already different materials as a “system” ...

In the West and in the USA, glass fiber reinforced concrete (architectural concrete - English architectural en béton - fr, die architektonische Beton - it,) has also been known as a reliable material for a long time.

The production of artificial stone from concrete of different grades (architectural concrete, polymer concrete, glass fiber reinforced concrete) - similar in appearance and made in such a way as to convincingly imitate the color, texture and appearance of natural hewn stone, did not immediately become popular. The earliest recorded use of artificial stone in Europe dates back to 1138. The next written source of its origin takes us to the age of continuing technological discoveries, to 1855. When the enterprising and, apparently, "handy" Frenchman Lambo Jean Louis did not just anything, but a boat from cement mortar, which he reinforced with metal, and possibly steel mesh.

It took a couple of centuries, experimentation, success and failure, before the material GRC gained its current leading position in the construction industry. Widespread architectural concrete began to be used in London already in the early 1900s, and in the United States, during the Great Depression, around 1920.

The beginning of the heyday of this material falls on the twentieth century. Since the end of the seventies, the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete has been strongly promoted in Western Europe, and a little later in the USA and Japan. These days, fiber-reinforced concrete was used: in Berlin (Germany) - for the reconstruction of a two-span bridge (1988), in a Japanese golf club (1992) - for the construction of a cable-stayed bridge. In Los Angeles and Santa Monica (USA), under a seismic improvement program, protective column linings were applied using glass fiber reinforced concrete mats.

According to the latest (over a decade) economic surveys of the construction industry, the scale of growth in the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete in the USA and Europe is increasing year by year by 14% or more ... A significant part of the buildings, architectural decor in the "capital of crazy games in the USA" Las Vegas is made of glass fiber reinforced concrete. A little later there were: the Tyutyusen metro station - by the Japanese Tadao Ando, ​​the Zragoza bridge by Zaha Hadid.

Behind all this, a boom in the use of fiber-reinforced concrete (the roving) began. And now Sir Norman Foster (Lord Norman Foster), Santiago Calatrava (Santiago Calatrava), Oscar Niemeyer (Oscar Niemeyer) and a large number of masters from world architecture - turned their eyes and began to use fiber-reinforced concrete in their projects ...

And now, finally, here, in Russia, the British architect Zaha Hadid has created something interesting, very different from typical architecture, even by modern standards. In the decoration of the shopping complex "Peresvet - Plaza" on Sharikopodshipnikovka 5, a finishing fiberglass concrete was originally designed, which our company produced and successfully installed in 2014 in the interior and on the facade (approx. on the facade of the complex a large-sized basement cornice with radius elements was finished).

Scientific developments and studies of the properties of fiberglass concrete, its use in Russia are based on Soviet (60s) scientific works, fundamental works of K. L. Biryukovich, P. P. Budnikov, M. T. Duleba, M. A. Krasnov, T G. Markaryan, R. M. Mkhikyan, and other innovators. During the period of "stagnation", "perestroika", this material was undeservedly forgotten, but today most of the serious architectural and construction companies in Russia are familiar with SFB and use this grateful material in design and decoration.

From the very moment of our foundation and constantly, we have been studying the experience of modern, technologically advanced and economical production of glass fiber reinforced concrete. Previously, relying on the limited market experience of Russian colleagues, Prosperity Architecture mainly performed facade and interior decoration, using the following materials in architectural elements: gypsum, MDF, glass composite, architectural concrete, natural stone, fireclay ... But we seem to have fallen seriously in love with fiberglass concrete for a long time. Now it is our main facade and competitive material. The study of its main possibilities in the field of textures, colors, methods of application is our main market strategy and task.

I must say that we managed to make a big leap in the quality and quantity of the production of architectural decoration from glass fiber reinforced concrete. And these researches influenced the price of fiberglass concrete for the customer. For ten years, a large team of specialists (architects, designers, technologists, modellers) and specialists from other related fields of activity have mastered a new technology for Russia at our base - the production of decor for glass fiber reinforced concrete facades.

From 2007 to 2011 - we developed methods and methods for designing SFRC for "wet", composite and ventilated facades. In the process of designing the elements of the facade, preparing the PPR, the best fastening materials and optimal components for production were tested and selected. At the production of fiberglass concrete, prototypes were made and, finally, the best technological solutions for decorating facades have been developed, tested and approved.

Since 2010, the production base, laboratory, design and design bureau "AB" during restoration, design in construction in urban and suburban facade decoration began to carry out various types of fences for balconies and parapets. Given the large housing reconstruction fund, this direction will be relevant for a long time and therefore the use of glass fiber reinforced concrete. In practice, balcony railings have a different shape - flat, rounded, multifaceted. There are railings of balconies with carved floral ornaments, geometric and arbitrary patterns.

By 2012, we have significantly generalized foreign and domestic experience and developed new technical solutions for embossed finishing, both for large-panel buildings and for finishing relatively small (up to 1000 sq. m.) facades of private suburban construction.

In our practice, simple and stylized architectural elements and details that correspond to modern industrial and technological methods of construction have been used: panels, columns, cornices, decorative trim elements.

Already in 2015, we opened a new production facility in the Moscow region (Ivanteevka St. Zarechnaya 1), with an area of ​​2500 sq. m., where one of the first large-scale projects was the production of 1600 sq. m. m of large-panel architectural products with the integration of marble chips for a national and international facility - the Skolkovo Technocenter. Retaining walls for flower beds and large-sized panels for the basement of a building are the main types of products produced by our company for Skolkovo.

One of the best qualities of fiberglass concrete is a convincing and almost authentic repetition of textures: sandstone, slate, wood, fireclay, which made our individual facades diverse and memorable, and allowed us to significantly expand the areas of application of this material.

In addition, in the new economic conditions, in the face of fierce competition, we managed to find effective economic solutions that influenced pricing. We have noticed that the greatest economic effect can be achieved by producing architectural details for large-scale projects. Pylons, columns, pedestals, pilasters, large-sized and decorative cornices with a large production run, thin-walled - are noticeably more profitable in price compared to other facade architectural decor from other materials.

At the same time, such products as balusters, half-balusters, handrails, baluster bases, small in circulation, are the least profitable both for the customer and for us, as a manufacturer. This does not mean, however, that we will abandon the production of balustrades, especially considering the fact that with the existing base of molds for these products, the price is the most democratic possible.

So - Glass fiber reinforced concrete - what kind of material is it?

Glass fiber reinforced concrete has several translated names: English - the GRC, German - die architektonische Beton or Glas-Faser Beton.

The composition of finished architectural products from it includes: high-grade portland cement ** (mainly foreign-made - Turkey, Denmark, less often Egypt), washed quartz sand of certain fractions, alkali-resistant (necessarily - alkali-resistant!) glass fiber (glass roving) and water. It is preferable to use fibers with a zirconia content of 15% or more. Dispersed fiber reinforcement compensates for the main disadvantages of concrete - low tensile strength and brittle fracture. Compared to conventional steel bar stressed concrete reinforcement, fiberglass reinforcement allows a whole range of effects to be obtained.

In some cases, it is possible to use basalt fiber, but with certain restrictions regarding the thickness of the product, their functional load. Thanks to the use of alkali-resistant fiberglass, its treatment with zirconium oxide, finished architectural products have the best facade qualities - lightness, strength, durability. The price of these products has serious competitive advantages over other analogues.

Feature of production technology:

Fiberglass concrete after pouring into the mold has an inevitable shrinkage. The largest percentage of shrinkage occurs during the curing stage. It, as a rule, depends on the sand-cement and water-cement ratio. Shrinkage-induced cracking is reduced by increasing the percentage of fiber content and its random orientation, while dispersed reinforcement significantly reduces the risk of shrinkage crack propagation.

Additional features:

Modern advances in chemistry also actively influence the quality of the production of Glass Fiber Concrete. A few years ago, for a faster process of concrete hydration, we used a curing chamber, significantly extending the production time, and, accordingly, the price of production increased. We can proudly say that the old-fashioned method is over. Modern chemical additives from BASF allow you to create a water-cement ratio in the range of 0.33-0.38 without slowing down hardening at any age of the concrete. In addition, chemical additives in concrete, reducing the production time of finished products, nullify excess evaporation of moisture from the concrete matrix.

For the highest reliability of the final quality of parts, manufacturers of domestic glass-fiber concrete decor use mineral additives of domestic production. Due to the binding of Ca (OH) 2 in concrete to calcium hydrosilicates, the alkalinity of the cement stone decreases, as a result, the aggressiveness to glass roving decreases, and the resistance to leaching and carbonization shrinkage increases. For the conditions of the production cycle (pneumatic spraying of the concrete solution into the mold), the use of additives plays a decisive role, since the additives provide the rheology of the concrete mix.

After studying the German experience in the production of arch concrete and glass fiber reinforced concrete, we moved to a different quality level of production. We do not use domestic additives due to their imperfect quality. Thanks to the addition of a third-generation superplasticizer based on GLENIUM 115 polycarboxylate ether from the German company BASF (which has a representative office and production control in Russia), we have obtained good permanent results. Through the use of GLENIUM 115, the following clear technological advantages of the base material in the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete are achieved:

A) the final compressive strength of concrete increases, as well as the flexural and tensile strength (SFB products withstand heavy loads, and as a result, the final grade of concrete in finished products increases, which is confirmed by tests in the laboratory);

B) the mobility of concrete with a low water-cement ratio increases without delamination or water separation (the additive allows you to reduce the amount of added water, which leads to a quick rise in the concrete mixture (the hydration process is completed) of SFB products without cracking and delamination);

C) the cycle of laying the mixture into molds is reduced (labor costs and prime cost are reduced);

D) the steaming of products is excluded (there is a significant acceleration of production time (by 80% of the time), excluding the whole stage, a reduction in the price of the product due to a reduction in energy costs); significantly improves the surface quality of concrete.

Fiber-reinforced concrete combines a high compressive strength characteristic of ordinary concrete. But in SFRC, this limit is much higher than ordinary concrete due to “glass fiber reinforcement”.

In terms of physical and physico-chemical qualities, fiberglass concrete is superior to ordinary concrete in several ways at once:

1. Flexural and tensile strength (exceeds concrete by 4-5 times);

2. Impact strength (10-15 times);

3. Frost resistance (up to 300 cycles - ordinary concrete from 50);

4. Waterproof (W14);

5. Has a high degree of adhesion to ordinary concrete;

6. High crack resistance.

Among cement-containing and other building materials, fiber-reinforced concrete is the most environmentally friendly and safe. In fact, it is the best material for the production of architectural products. Facade and interior elements do not contain harmful components, they belong to the category of fireproof materials (combustibility class - 100% NG). These properties are of key importance in the event of fires - unlike other artificial materials (PSBS - 25 F, PPU, materials with other polymer fillers) - fiberglass concrete in the form of finished products does not emit harmful substances when heated. It is highly resistant to chemical attack and can be treated and washed with any known surface care products. Fiber-reinforced concrete is not subject to corrosion and rotting, since there is nothing in the material to corrode and rot. Products from it are especially good for use in SPA - salons, water parks, baths - as the material resists the penetration of chlorides. Due to the fact that in fiberglass concrete the filler and steel reinforcement are replaced by fibers that do not decompose in an alkaline environment, distributed randomly in a liquid mixture of cement and sand, it has its own unique characteristics. Homogeneously reinforced and densely compacted planes, as a rule, have significantly thinner walls of the product, which also affects the consumption of material, its delivery, lifting and installation. If we compare analogues of solid concrete and SFB, then the latter will be 90% lighter!

The first experiments to introduce fiberglass into concrete date back to the fifties of our century. Then scientists and practitioners faced an insoluble problem - the dissolution of fiberglass in an aggressive corrosive environment. And only by the end of the 60s, British scientists managed to find a recipe for happiness by treating fiberglass with zirconium oxide.

In addition to exceptional functional properties, fiberglass concrete is distinguished by increased architectural expressiveness, as well as reliable plasticity. SFB products can be given almost any shape, which allows you to realize the scale of even unbridled architectural thought and, accordingly, facilitate installation, reducing the load on buildings, and hence the cost of work. At the same time, the absence of a rigid reinforcing cage made of metal and steel in the body of products (for example, in reinforced concrete structures, solid panels or architectural concrete) allows for an unlimited range of shape formation, which is important for the implementation of modern complex architectural projects. SFB is capable of acquiring complex spatial forms and recreating the most unexpected shapes for a very durable material. In the process of pouring (pneumatic spray or premix) into silicone molds, the solidified material accurately copies the smallest details of the matrix surface, allows you to get a wide variety of color solutions and finishes of the front surface, is able to imitate a variety of natural and artificial finishing materials in appearance, texture and color.

One of the main advantages of GRC architectural details in comparison with the mass of similar facade finishing solutions is their low weight. (Typically, one square meter is between 16 and 32 kg.) This is a tangible savings in material, transport, handling and installation costs. At the same time, products made of SFRC have a small cross section (in the range from 6 to 50 mm) and are much lighter than products made from ordinary ready-mixed concrete.

Material use: glass fiber reinforced concrete directly on the construction site.

In 2017, for the first time in our many years of practice, glass fiber reinforced concrete was used by our company as the main material for the manufacture of a bionic facade in the project for the implementation of the media center facade in the Zaryadye landscape project. The total volume of glass fiber reinforced concrete applied according to the principle of shotcrete technology reached 1000 sq. m. Complex bionic shapes were applied to the prepared metal mesh surfaces in several layers. The maximum layer thickness is 50 mm. The finishing layer was a leveling specialized plaster and paint from the Kaparol company, which has stood the test of time at our facilities.

Concrete as an eco-material

Another reason to talk about the environmental friendliness of concrete is its nature of origin. Cement is made from common limestone taken in nature and some types of clays. Other concrete mix fillers - quartz sand, river sand, pebbles and crushed stone - are also of natural origin. If we talk about the work of a plasticizer in a concrete mixture, working to reduce the water-cement ratio (reducing water in the mixture), then its chemical features are such that after the concrete has hardened, it makes no sense to talk about any harm - a composition of 0.001% of the total volume - it makes no sense .

The modern chemical industry has made concrete a fantastic material, either suddenly solidifying in a matter of minutes, or holding back nuclear tests, or flowing and plastic like water ... All this allows concrete to be the most popular and necessary material for the development of almost any area of ​​activity around the world. And as a result, today concrete is often used in places that are unusual for the layman. It can be found in the interior decoration of beauty salons in the form of columns, in SPA zones (rock imitation, transparent concrete, anti-vandal architectural decor), in the creation of furniture and kitchen sets, dome construction, landscape design, in small architectural forms ... The reason for this - all the same unsurpassed characteristics of this material. We can safely say that concrete is a recreated stone, which at the same time does not emit volatile organic elements and dust.

Strength and durability

By mixing cement of various grades with fillers, plasticizers, fibers - manufacturers today have the opportunity to produce concrete on an industrial scale with a compressive strength of 3 MPa to 250 MPa. Particular resistance to environmental influences - makes this material a successful substitute for natural stone. A little-known feature of good concrete is the acoustic barrier to noise. Noise waves are not transmitted through the concrete matrix, but are well reflected without causing vibrations in the material.

Additional useful information about fiberglass concrete:

Factors affecting the quality of architectural decoration from GFRC:

1. The amount of fiber in the mixture. The minimum content is from 3% by weight of dry material. It is with this volume of fiberglass that maximum strength is achieved. An increase in the percentage of fiber leads to excessive air entrainment, the creation of the “wool” effect in products, and leads to fragility.

2. Water-cement ratio. The correct ratio of water is 17 kg per 100 kg of a mixture of cement and sand. In this case, it is necessary to use a high-quality plasticizer. This is an important condition. Otherwise, the fiberglass decor should be steamed for at least 8 hours at a temperature of 80 C.

4. The length of the fibers of the fiber. Adjustable with spray gun. The best length is 2 cm. Quantity, length, orientation primarily affect tensile strength (Rp), flexural strength (Rbend) and toughness.

5. Conditions for hardening and caring for concrete. The temperature in the room is not lower than 18C. Significant humidity.

The presence in our company of a permanent qualified staff, its own laboratory for testing materials, its own workshop and equipment for the production of architectural details from fiber-reinforced concrete allows us to produce high-quality products for facades, interiors and landscapes.

Companies engaged in the development of fiberglass concrete in related road and metro construction areas: Branch of JSC TsNIIS "NRC "Tunnels and Subways", FGBOU VPO "SibADI", O. Bennett "RusElastoPlastic", Branch of JSC TsNIIS "NRC "Tunnels and Subways" (OJSC TsNIIS), (LLC "Research Center of the Tunnel Association", Tunnel Association of Russia, JSC "Research Center" Construction (NIIZhB), "RusElastoPlastic"

* Saman - (literally translated from Turkic - straw), in everyday life it has other names: clay concrete, clay fiber concrete, raw brick, raw clay material ... Saman began to be used as early as the 5th millennium BC. It is used in Central Asia for residential buildings and fences - duvals. In Russia, the use is found in the North Caucasus, Altai. Advantages of the material: low price of the material, high heat and sound insulation properties, fire resistance, hygroscopicity, environmental friendliness. Saman is mentioned in the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron.

The ability of fiberglass concrete to transmit textures:

Advantages of fiberglass concrete over other finishing materials:

Material	Advantages	disadvantages
Polyurethane foam (PPU)	Durable (facade up to 10 years); Resistant to temperature extremes; Clearness of the picture, with good quality of the form; Does not rot; Doesn't absorb odors	Fuel G4; Synthetic origin; temporary shrinkage; Not resistant to mechanical damage; Individual orders are very expensive; Density 300 kg per sq.m.
Expanded polystyrene (PSB-S) - made from polystyrene and its derivatives Density 50 kg. per sq. m.	Simplicity and ease of installation; moisture resistance; Thermally conductive; Very low price; Easily stored, transported; does not rot	combustible; Synthetic origin; vapor permeability; The material is electrified and collects dust; A small selection of patterns in the decor, does not have clarity, blurry elements; Fragility (facade up to 10 years); low level of impact resistance; Absorbs odors; Fragile in transit; Individual orders are not possible; It is not used in crowded places, kindergartens and children's institutions. Gives shrinkage.
Concrete. Sandy. Commodity (grey cement + sand, water)	Not combustible; Lasting; Resistant to all weather conditions (up to 150 cycles); Durability, subject to a high brand of cement	Low level of heat and sound insulation; Heavy material; Fuzzy drawing; Long stand up time. High load on buildings. Expensive installation.
Glass composite	Elastic, durable with low weight; Anti-corrosion water-repellent qualities; Possibility of making products of three-dimensional shapes and configurations; Ease of operation; Holds heat well	Frost resistance (up to 50 cycles); At low thicknesses, it can be deformed; Long production time, relative to SFB by 2-3 times; It is not recommended to use in kindergartens and child care facilities. High price. Long production times
Porcelain stoneware	Environmental friendliness; Not combustible; Resistant to all weather conditions (up to 120 cycles) Durability; Strength, wear resistance	Fragility during transportation; It is impossible to make decorative items; Lack of opportunity for individual projects;
Natural stone (granite)	Eco-friendly; Not combustible; Resistant to all weather conditions; Prestigious; Durable; Durable; Mechanical strength, wear resistance; Natural unique textures	High price; Heavy material; It is not possible to mount everywhere; With large volumes, one-color material is not possible

Where not to use SFB:

1. On the facades of wooden buildings (wood tends to shrink or swell, depending on humidity) - by attaching cornices directly to the beams ...

2. In load-bearing structures without appropriate fasteners, in the form of a hollow material (SFB is mainly used in decor - its efficiency is high here).

3. On facades where it is impossible to install special fasteners (metal subsystem) or if it is impossible to fix, for whatever reason, into the wall.

4. In the immediate vicinity of the fire source - more than 40C (interior decoration of fireplaces).

5. Products made of fiberglass concrete cannot be used without coating them with a water-repellent composition, or without coating them with facade paint.

Is it possible to produce architectural decor from glass fiber reinforced concrete with your own hands?

Of course, everything that one did - to repeat and improve the other - is able to. For small private stories with architecture, the possibility of producing architectural decoration is real, using premixing technology, having a small area and available tools for mixing material. Otherwise, it is necessary to purchase very expensive equipment, which does not make sense in a local problem.

In any case, of course, it is necessary to adhere to proven recipes. In addition, making a model and mold for your home with your own hands can be a great realization of your creative potential - there will be something to show your children and leave to your grandchildren! If necessary, we are ready to help craftsmen create arch. decor in a short time. Contact!

The price of architectural decor made of glass fiber reinforced concrete varies depending on the complexity of the product, circulation, color, texture. Due to the availability of ready-made forms, the cost of products can be significantly lower in price than a remake. Estimated cost for January 2018 - from 4500 rubles. per sq. meter. You can get a detailed consultation by contacting us at the numbers listed on the site.

OUR ADDRESS:

127247 Moscow, Dmitrovskoe shosse, 100, bldg. 2, floor 7, office 4711, office center "Nord House"