Fiber-reinforced concrete panels: types, installation, photos, videos, application, characteristics, composition

On the one hand, this feature expands the variety of external designs of the panels, on the other hand, additional painting work is necessary, which requires time and money. The cost of unpainted fiber-reinforced concrete panels is 10-20% lower than similar painted models.

Main types of fiber fiber

According to its origin and production methods, fiber is divided into six main categories, each of which must comply with GOST 14613–83 “Fiber.

Technical specifications":

• steel fiber;
• basalt;
• fiberglass;
• carbon;
• polypropylene;
• cellulose

Steel fiber

Metal (steel) fiber can be wave or anchor. It is presented in the form of straight or wavy wire pieces with curved ends, 10–50 mm long. (photo)

Steel fibers

Metal fibers used as raw materials for reinforcement cages are produced in several ways: by melt spinning, electrical or mechanical methods.

The most common is the mechanical method. This method involves the production of metal threads by drawing, drawing wire in rolling mills, and by cutting steel foil and other similar materials.

The choice of technology for manufacturing metal fibers depends on the desired diameter of the metal fiber. Ultra-fine threads are usually obtained by drawing through special diamond filters.

The main disadvantages are:

1. Large final weight of the product.
2. Low corrosion resistance.
3. Low adhesion to concrete base.

Basalt fiber fiber

Basalt fiber fiber

Basalt (mineral) fiber is an artificial mineral inorganic fiber obtained from basalt, a mineral of volcanic origin, melted in special furnaces. GOST 14613–83 “Fiber. Technical conditions".

Basalt threads have all the properties inherent in basalt:

• resistance to mechanical loads;
• increased resistance to alkaline and acidic reagents;
• not subject to combustion;
• provides triple strengthening of concrete.

The area of ​​use of basalt threads is determined by their variety and the type of products made from them. The main product based on basalt fibers is basalt fiber reinforced concrete.

Examples of the effective use of basalt fiber reinforced concrete on construction sites:

• basement panels of multi-storey buildings;
• permanent formwork made of fiber-reinforced concrete for cages to strengthen pile foundations;
• wall panels and monolithic walls made of fiber-reinforced concrete, interior partitions;
• small architectural forms in the improvement of city parks - fiber-reinforced concrete sculptures;
• improvement of local areas - fountains made of fiber-reinforced concrete;
• details of building reconstruction;
• architectural decor of buildings - stucco molding: rustics, platbands, cornices;
• road slabs, etc.

Use of basalt fiber reinforced concrete

Glass fiber (mineral) fibers

Fiberglass fiber

What is fiberglass fiber?

These are inorganic glass threads obtained by drawing molten glass mass from glass melting vessels with high-strength shapes in special installations. The properties of the resulting threads depend on the method of obtaining glass fibers and the chemical structure of the glass.

The variety of glass types makes it possible to produce the required range of glass threads with a wide range of their mechanical and structural properties.

Continuous fibers of glass threads collected into a bundle of a certain diameter are used as dispersed reinforcement for the required grade of concrete. The resulting bundle is cut into short pieces of fibers, the length of which is selected in accordance with the established norms and technological requirements for the grade of concrete being produced.

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber is chopped pieces of carbon threads produced from carbon by heat treatment of raw materials at high temperatures. It is characterized by high resistance to mechanical loads, low elongation coefficient and high resistance to the influence of chemical reactions on the properties of the material.

Advantages:

• high adhesion;
• not subject to corrosion;
• resistance to alkaline and acid solutions;
• high resistance to elevated temperatures - does not burn.

The modulus of elasticity of carbon fibers is significantly higher than that of steel threads, and the strength is proportional to the strength of glass fibers.

Despite the ideal characteristics and high efficiency of using this material, the price limits its use. Therefore, carbon fibers are used only when there is economic feasibility.

Polypropylene fiber

Polypropylene fiber

A separate type of synthetic fibers with a diameter of 0.02–0.038 mm, obtained from polypropylene film by cutting and twisting. In the concrete solution, these fibers open up and create a network structure. As a result: the composition of fiber-reinforced concrete and its physical and chemical characteristics are qualitatively improved. The resistance to impact loads of this material is higher than that of unreinforced concrete.

Flaws:

• insufficient resistance to tension or compression;
• poor wettability of the material;
• poor resistance to elevated temperatures;
• high variation when choosing high-quality raw materials (polypropylene or waste) - unscrupulous manufacturers significantly exaggerate the characteristics of the product being sold, which significantly affects the properties and class of fiber-reinforced concrete.

Cellulose fiber

Cellulose fiber

This is a hydrocarbon polymer material with increased heat-resistant characteristics, is insoluble in water and inert towards acids. The use of cellulose threads has a positive effect on the vapor permeability of polymer coatings. Slows down shrinkage processes and helps squeeze out liquid from the lower layers of screeds onto the surface of fiber-reinforced concrete.

The choice of fiber fibers and the type of binder additives that influence the production of fiber-reinforced concrete is associated not only with the optimal selection of the chemical composition of the threads, but also taking into account the functional purpose and reasonable use of these materials during long-term operation.

Types of fiber fiber

Production technology

The production of fiber-reinforced concrete is simple, but requires a long time - usually several weeks. The quality of the future slab and the ventilated façade assembled from it directly depends on the accuracy of adherence to the technology, the correct selection of the composition and proportion of materials.

The main stages of creating a fiber-reinforced concrete panel:

1) Giving the desired color and appearance to the future slab - preparing high-quality liquid concrete and mixing it with dye until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.

2) Filling special forms with liquid concrete, adding strength by adding five layers of fiberglass with uniform fiber distribution.

3) Strengthening of concrete is the longest cycle, which takes 28 days. The concrete slab hardens and acquires important performance characteristics. In the room where the slabs are installed, the required temperature and optimal humidity levels must be maintained.

4) Completion of production - hardened and strengthened concrete is treated with special water-repellent solutions and strengthening compounds. They make fiber-reinforced concrete facade panels resistant to moisture and precipitation, ultraviolet radiation and winds, which allows the material to be used in any climate.

5) If an autoclave is used in production, then the whole process goes much faster. After the concrete is poured into the molds, they are placed in an autoclave, where the material is exposed to very high temperatures and high pressure. Concrete matures and acquires the required strength quickly - after removal from the autoclave it can be used for work.

What are façade fiber-reinforced concrete panels?

Fiber-reinforced concrete facade slabs are large-format panels made from concrete and various additives that change the properties and appearance of the monolith. The thickness of the panels is small; they are reinforced with fiberglass throughout the entire monolith. They are used for interior and exterior decoration of the house; most often the material is chosen for simple, fast, durable and beautiful finishing of facades.

The panels are a composite facing material for creating various types of ventilated facade systems. The composition includes 85-90% cement and 10-15% minerals, fiber fiber. The front part of the panel can be made to imitate any material.

Depending on the appearance, fiber boards are:

• Imitation of stone masonry - different shapes, sizes, textures, colors, levels of detail
• Brickwork - slabs usually imitate yellow and red bricks
• Wood - different textures, colors, details
• Under stone chips - the imitation can be monochromatic or include several colors, different sizes of chips
• Plain panels for plaster
• Facade slabs with a smooth surface for further painting or other decoration

Any fiber-reinforced concrete slab is characterized by fire resistance, strength, light weight and thickness, and attractive appearance. You can choose a texture from among many options, installation is quick and easy, the quality of the finish is high and makes it possible to talk about a long service life, resistance to loads and various tests.

The main ingredients for the production of fiber-reinforced concrete slabs:

• Binder is cement that provides strength and resistance to moisture.
• Filler - this can be purified river sand or another silicate of a similar fraction, which is responsible for the quality of the slab
• Fiber fiber is the main component that acts as a reinforcing material and improves its technical characteristics
• Various specific additives - for individual properties: make fiber cement boards frost-resistant, maximally resistant to atmospheric influences, mechanical loads, moisture, etc.

Average characteristics of façade cladding slabs: weight 16-26 kg/m2, density from 1.5 g/cm3, impact strength from 2 kJ/m2, moisture absorption 7-20%, panel thickness 6-35 mm, bending strength from 20 mPa , width 19-150 cm, length 1.2-3.6 meters.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete facade panels

The appearance of a building depends entirely on the quality of the façade, whether it is a private house or an office building. If you are planning to clad your house with panels for finishing the facade, then you need to think about the quality of the materials.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete panels are the choice of 21st century architects and designers around the world.

Our company offers the production of facade panels made of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC). Glass fiber reinforced concrete has increased strength, since it is based on a reinforcing matrix made of fibers (fiberglass), which increases the wear resistance and durability of the material.

Panels made of glass fiber reinforced concrete withstand temperature loads well, unlike natural stone. They are highly airtight, easily tolerate moisture and have increased impact strength.

SFRC panels can have patterns and shapes of any size, and they can also replicate the texture of natural, popular stone: travertine or sandstone. Decorative facade panels made of glass fiber reinforced concrete have no restrictions on dimensions; in this case, the only limitation is transport (dimensional limitation). The ability to add color pigments to the mixed mass when preparing glass fiber reinforced concrete allows you to give any desired identical color to the entire facade.

Advantages and disadvantages of glass fiber reinforced concrete panels

Fiber-reinforced concrete facade panels compare favorably with alternative facade solutions due to the fact that the weight of such panels does not exceed the weight of porcelain stoneware facade tiles, while the strength characteristics exceed this popular facade solution.

Characteristics of façade panels, which are an undeniable advantage of this solution: • Do not require maintenance; • Easy to clean; • In production, Portland cement M600 is used, which, together with roving, provides the highest strength; • Have low weight (about 22 kg/m2); • Able to replicate the texture of materials of natural origin, including natural stone; • Waste-free installation, unlike porcelain tiles, cladding panels made of SFC can be produced exactly according to the design layout, which will avoid various types of trimming and save the customer’s money; • High anti-vandal characteristics;

It is also worth noting that glass fiber reinforced concrete panels do not require complex subsystems for installation; they are mounted on classic profile systems for ventilated facades, which makes the work of installers and designers easier. The panels do not contain flammable components, the flammability group is NG (non-combustible materials), which in turn simplifies the commissioning of a building lined with decorative panels made of glass fiber reinforced concrete.

Types of panels

Products of this type are sold in all sorts of variations. The most popular ones imitate:

• Masonry. Such products are not much different from real stone in shade and texture. The detailing is so high that the building turns into a real palace.
• Brickwork. In this case, the panels will be cheaper than the complex and more expensive installation of real bricks.
• Tree. It is also very difficult to distinguish such panels from wooden ones. As a result, the house looks very cozy, but the decoration is devoid of all the disadvantages of natural wood.
• Stone chips. In this case, you can choose any color and size of the crumbs.
• Plastered walls. There are also regular monotonous products on sale that allow you to complete the cladding much faster.

You can also purchase unpainted panels and choose their design yourself.

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

Composition of glass fiber reinforced concrete

Already by the name we see that this building material is dominated by three components:
1) sand as the main filler;

2) alkaline-resistant fiberglass;

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

Fiberglass reinforces concrete in such a way that the fiber is evenly distributed 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, in all technical characteristics it is better than ordinary concrete.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete is a non-flammable material

In addition to all its advantages, SFB is also non-flammable. Its fire resistance is amazing. If you look at the properties of this material at vintage age, then in the “Combustibility” column there is zero. Recently, the requirements for premises in terms of fire safety have been radically revised. This means that close attention is now paid to the degree of fire resistance of building materials. Glass fiber reinforced concrete has managed to surpass concrete in this indicator as well. Being non-flammable, such a facade and walls of the building will be able to protect from fire. During a fire, when minutes count, this property of the material will help people evacuate the building in a timely manner. And if the roofing, interfloor ceilings, and interior decoration are made of SFRC, being inside such a house, you can feel relatively safe.

Application of glass fiber reinforced concrete

In addition to the construction and restoration of historical buildings, this material is now actively used in landscaping, as well as in other areas, for example, as permanent formwork. SFB is also used:

• for cladding overpasses in spans, tunnels, drainage systems on high-speed highways;
• during the construction of compact format cleaning facilities in car parks, multi-storey garages and car wash premises;
• for the production of ventilated louvres and containers for landscaping.

Recreation areas for citizens (parks, public gardens) can also be modified using glass fiber reinforced concrete, adding creative appeal. The designer can easily create a whole range of beautiful objects: cozy benches, beautiful flower beds, convenient garbage disposals, original fountains. The standardized material can also be successfully used in the construction of bridges, creating unusual parapets and structures that suppress vehicle noise. Despite their large length, SFRC elements do not exert a significant load on the bridge. But better than concrete, they protect reinforcement and structures from external influences: acid rain, substances containing chlorine, etc.

Possibilities of glass fiber reinforced concrete

In modern design and construction conditions, new requirements are placed on buildings and structures. Their essence is a strict desire for greater architectural expressiveness, adherence to a certain style, and increased attractiveness of facades. Fiber-reinforced concrete, which has unlimited possibilities due to its unique properties, primarily ductility and strength, can provide invaluable assistance in solving future urban planning problems. It can be successfully used to make both thin and voluminous decorative elements. It is difficult for concrete to keep up with GFRC, which is 5 times stronger in tension, 15 times better able to withstand impact loads, its frost resistance has been increased to 300 cycles (for concrete - 50), and most importantly, glass fiber reinforced concrete does not contain heavy crushed stone and reinforcement, so increasing weight. On the one hand, it can reproduce the contours of a building with amazing accuracy, on the other, it can change its appearance beyond recognition. In addition to the existing advantages, special additives are used in the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete to improve its forming, technological and operational properties. Another advantage of the popular material is its convincing copying of various textures. It can be successfully adapted to wood, sandstone, fireclay, slate, which has significantly expanded the scope of use of SFRC, making building facades individual, memorable, and diverse.

Advantages and disadvantages

Modern equipment and new production technologies using high pressure and steam processing make it possible to produce material with excellent performance and aesthetic qualities. Consumers choose fiber-reinforced concrete panels due to their positive qualities.

• Long service life. The duration of use of the panels varies in the range of 25-50 years.
• Light weight of products. Slabs and siding panels are relatively easy to lift, install, transport and store. And the load on the wall is also reduced, and less powerful means are needed for fastening.
• Simple and convenient installation. The technology for installing slabs is much simpler and less expensive than that of plaster. The large size of the panels reduces the amount of work and installation tools required for fastening. In addition, it is easier to detect and correct unevenness when installing panels. Installation work can be carried out with a minimum set of tools and a small amount of knowledge about installation techniques. Moreover, work can be carried out in subzero temperatures.

• Versatility. The panels are presented in various format and size options, which allows you to select products for finishing surfaces with various features.
• High strength. Fiber cement panels withstand shock loads, vibration, friction, and bending pressure well.
• Good thermal insulation properties. Ensured by the use of cellulose filler, they reduce the power of the necessary heat-insulating materials in the finishing, for example, the thickness of the mineral wool layer.
• Frost resistance. The products retain their structural integrity and appearance throughout many freezing/thawing cycles. This fact makes them an excellent facing material for regions with a harsh and continental climate, in which hot summers give way to cold winters, which corresponds to almost the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

• High waterproofing properties. Thanks to special additives, the panels are not afraid of moisture and can be washed using water on both the front and back sides.
• Resistant to temperature changes.
• Do not corrode, do not rot, do not dry out.
• Completely environmentally friendly composition. Natural raw materials and non-toxic additives are used in production; microparticles of the material do not provoke allergic reactions and do not contribute to negative processes in the body. No asbestos or harmful resins.

• Resistant to sunlight. The color of fiber-reinforced concrete does not deteriorate under the influence of infrared radiation throughout its entire service life. Ultraviolet radiation does not destroy the structure of the coating - it does not lead to cracking, like some finishing materials.
• Good sound insulation. Reduces the level of incoming and outgoing sound.
• Wide choose. The ability to choose extends not only to color and its shades, but also to the shape and texture of the panel coating.
• Easy cleaning. The material cleans itself in the pouring rain; in addition, you can wash the surface with a garden hose.
• Absolute fire safety. The material is 100% non-flammable and non-smoldering, and also does not melt when exposed to direct fire.

In addition to positive qualities, fiber-reinforced concrete panels have several disadvantages.

• Vulnerable to prolonged exposure to moisture. Despite the high waterproofing qualities, with prolonged exposure to water, the cement in the composition of the products still begins to absorb water. Saturation can increase up to 10-20% and lead to slight deformation of the panels - up to 2%, which does not in any way affect the appearance or structural integrity; the flexibility of the panels completely compensates for this phenomenon.
• Specifics of installation work. Despite all the positive aspects in this matter, there is one caveat - large panels require installation by at least two people, which can cause some difficulties.

Advantages and disadvantages of panels

Fiber-reinforced concrete slabs demonstrate a number of positive and negative properties, which it is advisable to study before starting a project and performing repair and construction work.

The main advantages of fiber-reinforced concrete slabs:

• High level of durability
• Light weight and thickness - minimal impact on the foundation, frame, floors
• Aesthetic appearance, hidden method of attaching panels, large selection of surfaces in terms of textures and shades
• Speed, lightness, ease of transportation and installation (and significant cost savings at these stages)
• Excellent sound insulation
• Easy care, simple cleaning
• Resistance to a variety of external negative factors - temperature changes, moisture, winds
• Safety and environmental friendliness of the material, low level of flammability
• Preservation of physical and mechanical properties over time - cladding panels do not shrink and do not creep
• Resistance to significant impacts, vandal resistance
• Resistance to oxidation and corrosion - complete absence of rusty streaks and efflorescence

Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting only the high cost of the panels, which significantly increases the overall construction costs. But over the course of years of operation, these costs are fully compensated by the excellent characteristics, reliability, beauty and durability that fiber cement siding demonstrates.

Installation features

Installation of fiber-reinforced concrete panels can be carried out at any time of the year and in any weather - they do not crack or deform, they are not susceptible to mold or mildew, and the slabs do not require repair over time. You can perform all stages of installation (measuring, cutting, fastening panels) yourself.

Stages of installation of fiber-reinforced concrete slabs:

• Thorough cleaning of the base from dirt, debris, dust, sealing cracks and deformations.
• Fastening of special brackets, the length of which is selected in accordance with the thickness of the thermal insulation that fits under the facade system. The insulation is usually mineral wool, secured with dowels, and covered with a waterproof membrane.
• Construction of a frame from metal profiles - first horizontal rods, then vertically. Overlaying fiber-reinforced concrete slabs, pre-cut to size, onto profiles. If it is necessary to adjust the dimensions, the reinforced concrete structure is cut with diamond discs.
• Drilling holes in panels using diamond drilling, fastening them to the facade with clasps or self-tapping screws.

Installation of fiber cement panels

Wall fiber panels are installed as a ventilated facade or are used as decorative cladding in frame-clad walls.

On those panels that are attached with self-tapping screws to the frame posts of a prefabricated house (14 mm thick), the heads of the screws are coated with special paint to match the panel, making them invisible. Fiber cement panels for the facade are mounted on a wooden or metal frame with a pitch of no more than 600 mm with a ventilated gap 40 mm thick (for a ventilated facade), but not less than 15 mm (for frame walls).

A vertical gap of 10 ± 1 mm is left between adjacent slabs, followed by filling the seam with a sealant matched to the color of the panels.

Plates with a thickness of 16 mm or more are attached to the supporting frame using clamps (elements of invisible fastening of fiber cement panels). The clasps are completely hidden with special locks, as a result of which neither the horizontal seams between the plates nor the clasps themselves are completely visible.

Fastening methods

Fiber cement panels can be attached to the walls with self-tapping screws or special clamps, which depends on the thickness of the material itself. Plates up to 14 millimeters thick are mounted using self-tapping screws, and the holes that appear from the caps are carefully covered with mastic. Thick products with a thickness of 14 millimeters or more are secured with clamps - just like concrete siding. This method is considered more technologically advanced.

Important features of the fastener:

• The method must be selected taking into account the thickness of the panels and the type of guides
• In accordance with the design of the facade, the size and thickness of the fiber-reinforced concrete panels, the pitch of the guides is chosen - usually this distance is in the range of 40-60 centimeters
• Fiber-reinforced concrete slabs are equipped with additional elements - slopes, corners for internal and external joints, auxiliary fasteners
• The main task is to make the fasteners aesthetically pleasing and as reliable as possible.

Fiber-reinforced concrete panels are a beautiful and high-quality modern material that allows you to quickly and easily install external façade finishing or improve the interior interior. Thanks to excellent performance characteristics and a large selection of textures, colors, imitations, relatively affordable price and installation speed, panels are becoming increasingly popular in modern construction.

Areas of use of panels

Using fiber-reinforced concrete slabs, buildings are faced where it is necessary to reduce the overall weight of the structure, counteract the appearance of cracks on the facade, increase the strength of the entire wall monolith, and give it an aesthetic appearance. The choice of fiber cement panels is relevant for finishing buildings with thin walls and a simple foundation.

Due to the light weight and structural features of the slabs, it becomes possible to use a variety of construction technologies. The material is suitable for installing slabs both indoors and outdoors. And the variety of options for simulating materials under which the panel surface can be made significantly expands the use of slabs.

Often, slabs are used for finishing buildings with curved geometry, for restoration and reconstruction of old buildings, in order to eliminate unevenness on the facade and quickly level the surface for subsequent finishing.

Fiber-reinforced concrete, buy at a low price

Construction in the country is being carried out at an accelerated pace.
Multi-storey beautiful residential buildings, administrative, commercial and retail buildings are being erected, and entire microdistricts, cottage villages, and private country houses are appearing before our eyes. All this requires a lot of different construction, finishing, and decorative materials, so our multidisciplinary company offers to buy a universal material, fiber-reinforced concrete, at a competitive price. After all, items of facade decoration, landscape design, and architectural decorations of the urban environment are made from it. You can buy fiber-reinforced concrete from our company of any composition, size, shape, volume, color palette. Standard products are also made to order. First you need to submit a sketch, drawing or verbal description. The masters of the sculpture workshop, using hardware and software capabilities, will develop a model, and at the production sites it will be embodied in a real product that satisfies all the stated parameters. Our capabilities and potential allow us to produce high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete, with excellent technical and operational characteristics, and a long service life. And all this at reasonable and affordable prices for large construction, architectural organizations and private developers.

It is worth buying fiber-reinforced concrete when arranging, cladding front entrances, facades of buildings for various purposes and any form of ownership. Sculptural groups made of fibre-reinforced concrete can be purchased and unique projects can be created on a personal plot, house adjoining area, or park area. All production processes are carried out in compliance with state standards, sanitary standards and regulations.

Equipment for glass fiber reinforced concrete

The demand for this unified material has raised the question of creating simple and reliable equipment for the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete.
So that you can independently obtain in-demand building materials. With the help of modern technologies, it was possible to create high-quality and efficient equipment for the production of SFRC, the serial production of which has already been started by many domestic manufacturers. It consists of a mortar pump station that processes the fiber-reinforced concrete mixture, and a mixer for the production of mortar, which is a necessary component of fiber-reinforced concrete. The volume of the station's loading hopper ranges from 80-100 liters, depending on the manufacturer. This makes it possible to obtain from 150 to 200 kg of mixture in one cycle. Loading can be done either mechanically or manually. Modern mortar pumping stations are quite maneuverable, thanks to swivel joints and wheels powered by a pneumatic system. The efficiency of a mixer is measured by the quality of the mixture produced, consisting of sand, cement and water.

To apply the finished SFRC to the working surface, special pneumatic spray guns are used, which are included in the list of equipment for mortar pumping stations. A distinctive feature of these single-nozzle devices is the possibility of spraying both large-area working surfaces and complicated ones: relief, patterned, etc. The mixture is supplied evenly to the prepared surface. Mixing of the working solution with fiberglass occurs directly in the working chamber of the gun, thanks to the high pressure of compressed air. To obtain fiber of a given length, guns are equipped with special units.

Decorative elements are also made in molds. To do this, the mixture is placed manually and vibrocompacted. To ensure a smooth surface of the products, the molds are pre-lined with plastic film. If the film is replaced with glass, you get a polished surface. Relief surfaces are achieved using silicone molds. But in all the mentioned cases, before laying the mixture, the forms must be lubricated with mineral oil.

Main manufacturing companies

Among domestic manufacturers of facade panels of this type, the following are the most famous: Brevitor, Fibrit, Latonit, Cemboard, ROSPAN. A special feature of their products is that they can be used in all climatic zones of the country.

In addition, the installation technology of domestic panels has been adjusted to allow work to be carried out in winter.

The Japanese company KMEW differs from its competitors by introducing self-cleaning technology for panels. The facades are treated with a preparation that forms a perfectly smooth surface when saturated with moisture. All dirt from such a surface is washed off on its own along with rainwater.

Nichiha is another company from Japan. Its main trump card is its focus on nanotechnology in production, which increases the strength characteristics of facade panels. Belgium is represented in our country by Etenit. Its products under the Cedral brand qualitatively imitate natural wood.

Fiber-reinforced concrete for complex shapes

Additive technologies also open up great opportunities for creating ultra-modern facades with curved surfaces: thanks to their use, the facades of the Ice Cave in Zaryadye Park were created by the Fibrol factory in record time. Instead of facade curved elements that were not completed on time, facades were sprayed directly onto a pre-prepared base. The technology for producing curvilinear parametric facades using glass fiber reinforced concrete, similar to the facades of the Ice Cave, was then improved at the KROST concern and applied in the Nevsky residential complex, where, with the participation of the Fibrol factory, two objects were erected - “sea grottoes”. In these structures, a subsystem was prepared in advance - a metal structure with studs according to drawings developed at PTI "KROST" using parametric programming.

Ice cave in Zaryadye Park

As in the case of Zaryadye Park, glass fiber reinforced concrete was sprayed directly onto the metal network right at the construction site, and the Fibrol factory moved its production here. The work was carried out in the spring, which created special difficulties: the metal structures were heated with heat guns to the required temperature, and then the facades were sprayed with manipulators.

Grotto subsystem in the Nevsky residential complex

Another work related to curved facades, but this time carried out in the factory workshop, was an experimental pavilion-kiosk, developed at the PTI concern according to sketches by the Wall bureau. A small pavilion for the sale of snacks and drinks with an area of ​​only 6 m² is a prefabricated prefabricated structure, that is, completely assembled at the factory and ready for transportation, installation on site and further year-round operation. The design uses unique curved panels with an arc of 110 to 120 degrees, as well as a monolithic fiberglass concrete slab that ensures smooth transitions between the roof and the wall.

The façade panels are only 2 cm thick—the high strength of glass fiber reinforced concrete makes it possible to obtain thin-walled cladding elements—and are mounted on the subsystem using studs, 20 for each panel.

Experimental pavilion-kiosk based on sketches by Wall Bureau

Taking into account the need for various manipulations with the pavilion in the future, in particular, rather long transportation to the installation site, various terrain conditions in the park, much attention was paid to the weight of the structure and the embedded parts with which installation will be carried out. The use of glass fiber panels, which are much lighter than conventional reinforced concrete slabs due to the thickness of the product walls and fiberglass reinforcement, solves the issue of weight. .

The Fibrol factory, having unique capabilities for integrated design and production capable of solving both standard and individual problems, offers cooperation to architects and developers in solving projects of varying complexity.

Fiber-reinforced concrete in construction

At first, individual structures made of this material were used at construction sites. It was necessary to see how they would behave in practice, although their use was preceded by laboratory tests carried out on the basis of verified calculations. The first experience of widespread use of the new material was the construction of the Central Bank building in Moscow on Volokolamsk Highway. Fiber-reinforced concrete was used for the production of structures for floors, columns, walls, floors, and has proven itself to be the best in both technological properties and technical parameters.

The positive experience began to spread quickly. Houses using the new product appeared in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Chelyabinsk, Lipetsk, and other cities of Russia. Its use turned out to be very effective due to:

• eliminating defects inherent in reinforcement with steel rods and wire;
• increasing pre-repair operational life;
• reducing labor and material consumption;
• increasing the durability of buildings.

Where concrete reinforced with steel rods and wires cannot provide the specified strength, fiber-reinforced concrete is successfully used. It has also found wide application in the restoration of ancient buildings, making it possible to obtain architectural decorative elements that are relatively light and durable. The material has a wide range of colors and can act as an imitation of natural stone.

In buildings with high traffic capacity (shops, schools), flights of stairs are made from it. They are also used for the manufacture of roofing materials: corrugated sheets, tiles. Fiber-reinforced concrete is also used as facing slabs, for the production of bored piles and driven pile heads (they are stronger than reinforced concrete ones).

Glass fiber reinforced concrete in architecture

SFRC is perhaps the only material today that allows you to accurately reproduce any architectural style, including modern trends and those that have long gone down in history.
However, buildings built in the styles of classicism, gothic, rococo, empire and others have reached us. Restoring such rarities is a complex and painstaking task, sometimes requiring the repetition of complex contours. Most finishing materials cannot provide such precision as fiber-reinforced concrete, which demonstrates amazing properties. Thanks to him, majestic columns and elegant pilasters, original balustrades and porticos breathing history, airy cornices and strict corner elements acquire their pristine appearance. The unique material not only accurately copies the details, but also conveys the spirit of the era in which buildings of historical value were built. A house lined with fiberglass concrete will last a long time. In the West, the warranty period for such facades is 50 years. But this material has been used there for the second century. In Russia, it has just begun its victorious march, but its production is increasing in arithmetic progression. After finishing with SFRC, both modern and ancient buildings look equally good - beautiful, reliable, durable. Architects and designers, having such a trump card in their hands, can no longer limit their imagination by inventing original architectural forms. Thanks to the new material, any, even the most daring decisions, will be brought to life. The appearance of cities will begin to gradually change, parting with the typical, unmemorable “boxes”.

Advantages of glass fiber reinforced concrete

The unique material received its main advantages thanks to fiberglass, which dispersely reinforces SFRC. If you perform a calculation, it turns out that the total cross-section of glass fiber is larger than that of reinforcement bars, moreover, glass fiber is much lighter than steel, and its tensile strength is higher. A reinforced concrete block is made technologically larger than designed, hiding the reinforcement from moisture and corrosion deep into the block, away from its external surfaces. Glass fiber does not rust, allowing you to make a more compact, lighter, and therefore less expensive block with the same strength characteristics as concrete. Not subject to corrosion and the influence of aggressive environments, fiber-reinforced concrete is perfectly painted both in bulk and on the surface, when polished, an original texture is obtained. Under certain conditions, you can even get a translucent material that looks very original.

Environmentally friendly SFRC has one more advantage: the lack of shielding ability. Electromagnetic waves pass through it without being reflected. To them, this material looks completely transparent. When constructing residential buildings, the described property is extremely important. Modern apartments suffer from a large accumulation of electronics and household appliances that generate electromagnetic fields, which, when reflected and exposed to a person for a long time, can have a negative impact on the state of the body. Glass fiber reinforced concrete allows electromagnetic waves to pass through itself.

Decorative elements made of glass fiber reinforced concrete

You can easily make any decorative element from glass fiber reinforced concrete, restoring the beautiful architectural elements generously donated to the current generation of the country by its great ancestors. The plasticity of SFRC allows you to reproduce any decorative elements, including those with complex, curved shapes, large-sized products and other details as needed.

The almost limitless possibilities of the material make it possible to produce a wide range of decorative parts, such as cornices for finishing basement floors, facades, and interfloor sections of walls. In demand:

• coffered and corner rusticated elements,
• pilasters,
• columns,
• capitals,
• balustrades,
• medallions,
• bas-reliefs.

A significant part of the volumes falls on facade panels, which cover large areas of walls when finishing buildings.

In addition, there are interesting solutions for arranging fences and fences made of glass fiber reinforced concrete. The low weight of the elements greatly facilitates installation, but it is preferable to carry it out by highly qualified specialists. This is due to the characteristics of the elements that must be taken into account during assembly. Facade panels are supplied together with fastening units, divided into two types: supporting and for fixing (limiting) products. The classic panel has 4 fixing nodes and two supporting ones. From the name it is clear that the latter take on the load-bearing load, while the fixing ones prevent the panel from moving after installation. The load is distributed evenly over the entire area of ​​the façade panel fabric. During gusts of wind or shrinkage, all cladding panels must withstand stress without breaking or cracking.

Texture of glass fiber reinforced concrete

The texture of fiber-reinforced concrete, as well as the ability to apply any color scheme in accordance with the planned work, is another advantageous advantage of the material. Any shades that exactly correspond to the original plans of the architects or modern design requirements can be easily and reliably reproduced. In addition, the product is guaranteed to retain its color scheme for a long time.

The use of glass fiber as a filler and binder significantly reduces the weight of the product. As a result, the impressive dimensions of some decorative elements are light in weight, and they are easy and simple to work with, including fastening at height.

SFRC is used for the manufacture of a wide variety of decorative elements intended to decorate the facades of buildings. It can be:

• columns;
• cornices;
• porticos;
• capitals;
• pilasters;
• stucco decor;
• various sculptures and much more.

The popular material has recently been increasingly used in the design of any elements of landscape design, improvement of parks, public gardens, recreation areas and city attractions.