19- GLASSFIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE (G.R.C.

1. GENERAL

2. Manufacturer

The 'Manufacturer' shall mean the G.R.C. Manufacturer who shall be a Licensee of Pilkington
Brothers PLC or shall be selected by the Contractor and submitted for the consultant approval.

3. Licenser

The 'Licenser' shall be Pilkington Brothers PLC, or equal and approved.

4. Properties

All numerical values given for strength properties shall be characteristic values, that is the value
below which only 5% of test results fall. No test result may fall below 85% of a characteristic value.

5. Tests

Unless otherwise stated in this specification all tests shall be carried out by the appropriate method
described in the CEM-FIL Quality Control Test Booklet published by the Licenser. Alternatively
the appropriate GRCA Code of Practice may be used as per the recommendation of ECP 203-
2017. The Engineer has the right to ask for tests to be performed by an independent Laboratory.

6. PERFORMANCE

1. Shape

The panels are to be formed in G.R.C. to achieve the profiles indicated on the drawings.

2. Finish

The colour and texture shall match those of sample prepared by the Manufacturer and approved
by the Engineer.

3. Defects

The finished surfaces shall be as free from surface imperfections such as blowholes, void, ridges
or may other defects that will be visible in the finished condition as the approved samples. Fibres
in the surface of the moulding will be acceptable providing the appearance so achieved is
uniform and to the Engineer's satisfaction but bare fibres are not to be visible.

4. Staining

Any dirt on the surfaces of the panels due to storage, handling, transportation and erection shall
be capable of removal by washing. To facilitate this the panels shall be given a water repellent
treatment.

5. Fire Performance

The panels are to be formed of wholly non-combustible materials when tested to BS 476 Part 4,
and shall have a class O surface spread of flame when tested to BS 476 Part 6.

6. Flexure

The GRC from which the panels are manufactured shall have the following properties measured
on coupons cut from 10mm thick test boards cast and vibration compacted in the same manner
as the screens and then cured for 28 days in the same curing environment.
 a. Modules of Rupture (MOR) 9 N/mm2
b. Limit of Proportionality (LOP).

(i) 5.0 N/mm2 on J.J. Lloyd T5000/SS Test Machine or similar (CEM/QC/008)

7. Density

The wet bulk density of the finished GRC checked from samples cast and vibrated in the same
manner as the panels shall be not less than 1900 Kg/m3.

8. Fiber Distribution

By means of correct mold filling, techniques as uniform as possible a distribution of fiber in all
directions is to be achieved.

7. MATERIALS

1. General

Materials used for making the GRC unit shall generally comply with relevant standards or be
approved by the Engineer.

2. Cement

The cement shall be White Portland Cement to BS 12 or equivalent and shall be obtained from
one sources throughout manufacture.

3. Glass Fiber

The glass fiber shall be Cem-FIL Alkali Resistance Glass Fiber as supplied by Fiberglass
Limited. The chopped stand shall have a nominal length of 12mm.

4. Admixtures

These are admissible if normal practice for the mix is being employed

5. Sand

Sand shall be a washed and dried silica and sand free from soluble salts, clay particles and
organic matter, or similar approved.

A suitable composition is:

96-98% silica, 2% maximum moisture, 1% maximum soluble salts, 0.5% maximum loss on
ignition, 0.5% maximum clay and organic material. Other sands may be acceptable and samples
should be submitted for test.

The maximum particle size shall be 2.4mm and the fine fraction (150um) shall not exceed 10%.

6. The frequency of testing

The recommendation of ECP 203-2017 & BS EN 1169 is required to be followed as per Engineer
instructions as the following
Glass content – tested in accordance with BS EN 1170 Part 2
Modulus of Rupture and Limit of Proportionality – tested in accordance with BS EN 1170 Part 5
A simplified bending strength test to determine the Modulus of Rupture (MOR) recommended by
BS EN 1169 is for each 10 tonnes of GRC produced, or at least once per week
Water Absorption and Dry Density – tested in accordance with BS EN 1170 Part 6, as the mix
design is being set-up, and then for each 10 tonnes of GRC produced, or at least once per week
The minimum dry density shall exceed 1900 kg/m3