We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete?

By Ron Davis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,060
Share

Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) is Portland cement containing up to 2% alkali resistant silica fibers mixed in. The glass fibers replace steel rebar reinforcement with a large savings in weight. The use of special alkali resistant glass fibers is crucial because concrete provides a highly alkaline environment which will destroy ordinary glass fibers.

Russian scientists experimented with using glass fibers in cement prior to World War II without much success because the concrete caused rapid erosion of the glass fibers. In the late 1960s, the Great Britain Building Research Establishment created an alkali resistant glass fiber. Since then, glass fiber reinforced concrete has become extensively used in Europe and Asia, and is garnering an increasing market share in the United States.

In the U.S., glass fiber reinforced concrete is used largely in panels for the exterior of high rise buildings. Although usually only about 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) thick, these panels provide all the strength needed to withstand the elements. The most common finish used resembles stone.

Ornamental garden pieces and exterior trim are easier to cast with GFRC than conventional concrete. These include items such as statues, planters, and fountains, or corbels, dentals, and railings. They can be cast hollow, making them much lighter and thus easier to move and install. GFRC is often cast to look like natural stone. It can also be treated with additives to make it water resistant, or treated and made into slabs using a spray technique, which will generate a high gloss, water-impermeable surface.

These qualities have made glass fiber reinforced concrete an commonly used counter top surface in Europe. Americans are beginning to consider these attractive, high quality counter tops as an alternative to granite or quartz installations. Some designers are also using GFRC for fireplace surrounds, mantels, and hearths. Additional interior uses range from kitchen hoods to furniture.

The major disadvantage to glass fiber reinforced concrete is its cost. It is much more expensive on a pound-for-pound basis compared with concrete. The current view is that for applications under about 2 inches (5 cm) in thickness, GFRC is the material of choice. It is considered far too expensive to use for heavy pours, those 4 inches (10 cm) or more thick.

Another disadvantage is that the concrete mix has a high ratio of concrete to sand, and a low water-to-cement ratio. That makes the poured product prone to drying out too fast. Traditionally, GFRC panels have been cured in a moisture controlled room for seven days. A recent innovation adds acrylic solids or acrylic emulsions to the mixture, which retain moisture and act as a curing agent, and can cut curing time in half.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-glass-fiber-reinforced-concrete.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.