GRCA Practical Fixing Guide for Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC)

With the rapid growth of technology, the construction industry is gradually moving from 2D to 3D design detailing because of the advantages it offers. In particular, the detailing of GRC products is ideally suited to the use of 3D modelling packages such as Inventor and Solidworks. Both of these packages have been used in the production of this publication. They both deliver a new ground breaking modelling system of functional design. This allows users to move beyond geometric modelling into an environment where they can focus more on the details under consideration. An accurate 3D model of a GRC cladding system and its fixings can be produced very quickly. This model can then be used to automatically create 2D elevations, plans and sections as well as details of individual panels. Consequently, drafting time is significantly reduced without sacrificing accuracy. Any later changes to the model are automatically reflected in all of the details derived from the previous model. Both Inventor and Solidworks produce bills of quantities for the GRC panels and associated fixings for costing purposes. One of the most valuable benefits of using these packages for the detailing of GRC is for its ability to create and test virtual prototypes. Essentially, this enables clash analysis to be carried out ensuring that the GRC panel system fits correctly without any conflicts with supporting structure and interfacing elements, eg glazing, curtain walling etc. The GRC designer also benefits from working with a modelling package. Once the 3D model has been produced, a finite element analysis (FEA) can be easily carried out to determine deflections and stress distributions under load. Moreover, both Inventor and Solidworks can be used to produce animation, ‘fly throughs’ and ‘fly bys’. This latest Fixing Guide takes the GRCA’s technical publications to a new level. It utilises the latest technology in 3D animation techniques and contains a number of practical examples to illustrate various fixing techniques. This Guide is in two parts. Part 1 contains information and illustrations of current fixing methods, in a similar format to the Fixing Guide it is superseding. Part 2 is a collection of practical examples of fixing methods. This describes each application, provides 3D animations, Autodesk DWF files and other information to enable the reader to interact and fully understand the fixing method(s). Grateful thanks are given to all members of the GRCA Technical Working Group for their valuable help and determination in producing this first issue of the new Fixing Guide.