Glass fiber reinforced concrete - characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the material, composition: Portland cement, aluminous cement, high-strength gypsum. What is fiberglass concrete? Properties, application and price of glass fiber reinforced concrete glass fiber reinforced concrete improve the quality of new

The new time dictates the rules for the use and implementation of new construction materials in conjunction with new technologies. The creation of "new materials from the old" is possible through the possible reinforcement of widely known materials. Thus, reinforced concrete economic indicators and strength characteristics surpasses ordinary branded concrete. One of the most progressive types of concrete reinforcement is fiber reinforcement, thus, fiber reinforcement of concrete gives rise to the material - fiber-reinforced concrete. Accordingly, according to the type of fiber segments used, fiber-reinforced concrete classes are distinguished.

The most common types of fibers for concrete are as follows:

• steel;
• from alkali-resistant fiberglass;
• from ordinary fiberglass;
• from synthetic fibers.

Of these, fiber reinforcement with fiberglass is economically advantageous and at the same time technologically simple, which gives rise to a unique material - glass fiber reinforced concrete.

Basic definitions

Fiberglass concrete is a type of fiber-reinforced concrete and is made of fine-grained concrete (matrix concrete) and fiberglass segments (fibers) reinforcing it, evenly distributed over the volume of concrete of the product or its individual parts (zones). The joint work of concrete and fibers is ensured by adhesion along their surface; thus, a huge area of ​​overlapping concrete and fibers works (from 10,000 to 50,000 m2, depending on the purpose of the material obtained), forming qualitatively new properties of a new material - fiberglass concrete.

The expansion of production and the use of glass fiber reinforced concrete structures is an important reserve for reducing the cost of construction, saving labor costs, increasing the operational reliability and durability of building structures.

Dispersed reinforcement increases not only the strength properties of concrete, but, most importantly, improves the performance of structures, for example, resistance to dynamic, temperature and humidity effects, wear, etc., which makes it possible to obtain a significant effect in the production and operation of glass fiber reinforced concrete structures.

According to their purpose, fiberglass concretes are divided into structural, waterproofing, decorative and special. Based on the purpose, they are given the appropriate properties due to the combination of short-fiber and long-fiber elements. fiberglass reinforcement and manufacturing technology.

This material has exceptionally high technological properties in the formation of products of almost any desired shape, has high bending strength, high impact strength, elasticity, crack resistance, water resistance, and, if necessary, a decorative surface.

Decorative surfaces of fiberglass products

This material provides the architect with a means of embodying his idea, with which no other material can compete in terms of plasticity, ability to convey surface relief, as well as lightness. It features light weight, easy handling, low installation and transportation costs; creates a decrease in the load on the supporting structure of buildings, which gives a significant reduction in the cost of building the foundation and frame of the building, which is important during restoration and reconstruction; has low water permeability; fire resistant.

Technologies for the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete

Building codes for the production of SFRC structures provide for 2 main technological areas:

• Spraying (spraying, "spray") of components on a form - a matrix for obtaining flat or curved thin-walled slabs and protective-structural shirts. This requires the equipment for the SFB in its entirety;
• Pre-mixing ("premixing") followed by shaping the mixture by vibrocompaction, radial roller molding, roller pressing or other methods. To do this, it is enough to have a “truncated” set of the STs-45 complex at the production site.

If it is necessary to manufacture products by premixing, then the set of required equipment is reduced and simplified. At the same time, it should be remembered that the percentage of fiber introduced into the solution with this method is less, the quality of products obtained using this technology is lower, and the possibilities of using the resulting structures are narrower. However, for a number of problems this technique is justified. Elements obtained by this method should be subjected to vibration treatment.

• A device for chopping and dosing fibers (this task can be performed by a sprayer with a detached unit for mixing solution and fiberglass);
• Oiler and oil separator;
• Compressor K-25M or similar (500 liters of air per minute at a pressure of 5-6 atm is enough). The air is only used to operate the drive and push the fiber out of the cutting chamber.
• Mortar mixer series RM.

As special cases, two more areas of SFB technologies can be noted:

• contact method, representing the layer-by-layer laying of fiberglass reinforcement and the impregnation of each layer with a cement binder;
• shaping products by bending an unhardened flat glass fiber reinforced concrete sheet, as well as secondary shaping of products due to the elastic properties of hardened reinforced concrete.

Structure classification

SFRC structures, depending on their reinforcement, are divided into the following types of structures:

• With fiber reinforcement - when they are reinforced only with fiberglass fibers, evenly distributed over the volume of concrete of the entire element or part of it;
• With combined reinforcement - when they are reinforced with fiberglass fibers, evenly distributed over the volume (section) of the element, in combination with rod, wire steel reinforcement.

Application

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, the presence of radio transparency, and also increasing architectural expressiveness and environmental cleanliness.

GRP wall cladding panels are used in custom-made elements for buildings special purpose; as modular elements in serial unified construction; in the form of facing panels in the reconstruction of old buildings.

GRP panels for end protection monolithic floors during the construction of residential buildings.

With the help of special glass fiber reinforced concrete panels, the problem of finishing the ends of monolithic ceilings of multi-storey buildings is solved.

Advantages of SFB panels:

Thickness from 1.5 cm;
- low weight;
- ease of installation;
- various surface options (imitation of brick, stone, etc.); color and texture are selected individually;

The height of the panels varies depending on the height of the ceiling, and the length reaches 2 running meters. The panels are attached to metal anchors, the joint is sealed.

Use in Russia

Already today there are enterprises operating in Russia that are distinguished by high professionalism and accumulated rich experience and knowledge. These are firms that have completed a significant amount of work on decorating facades with glass fiber reinforced concrete products. Among others, it should be noted the company Antika, Kazan. calling card enterprises are a residential complex in the center of Kazan, villas in Kazan and the suburbs, the museum-reserve "Kazan Kremlin".

For a detailed acquaintance with the work and projects of the company, visit the site http://www.antika-plus.ru.

Firm "Antika" uses the equipment of the firm NST. The largest production of fiberglass concrete in the entire post-Soviet space is organized in Kazan. The peculiarity of this company is that all stages of production (from the manufacture of molds to installation on the facade) are carried out independently. Thanks to this, a rich and unique experience has been accumulated. The latest work of the Antika company is the building of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan "Palace of Farmers". The facade of this palace (it’s really difficult to call it a building) is completely made of glass fiber reinforced concrete.

The decision for each specific case can be made through the following options:

• single-layer panels with stiffeners;
• fixed formwork with filling.

Properly made molds made of metal, wood, plastic or polyurethane make it possible to have a relief surface finish of products from a strict pattern to free forms, elements of heraldry and ornaments. Using a base of white or gray cements with a slight admixture of inorganic dyes, as well as sand and other aggregates, a wide range of colors and finishes can be created.

The applied finishing layer, not exceeding 5 - 6 mm in thickness, makes the cost of materials minimal. Thin layer of finish underneath natural stone, slate or ceramic tiles is carried out on a glass fiber cement panel, which is part of the structure with a supporting frame.

Structural flexibility of fiberglass concrete provides an opportunity to get away from the monotony of painted steel structures, plastics, massiveness and limited forms of concrete.

An important addition to the facing panels can be decorative elements semi-antique during the restoration and reconstruction of buildings. Also fiberglass is indispensable for framing window openings, production of porticos, cornices, sun screens, etc.

SFRC is an excellent material for various kinds roofs. They can imitate traditional roofing materials such as slate, ceramic tiles. But unlike them, it is not fragile and not heavy. For roofs with slopes, you can imitate natural slate as appearance, and by invoice. For its fastening, ordinary slate nails are used without pre-drilling holes, as it is durable and does not split when fastened.

This material plays an important role in the design of urban recreation areas from the aesthetic side of construction projects and small architectural forms. It can be used for arranging picturesque ornamental ponds, fountains, benches, flower girls, balustrades, kiosks, etc. Small architectural forms made of fiberglass concrete have a more attractive appearance, because it allows you to convey any shape, relief and surface finish to blend with the surrounding landscape. Plaster coatings have high strength, as well as high resistance to cracking and peeling.

The material has a high resistance to chemicals, including urban pollution and salt solutions. It also has high acoustic properties, does not rust, rot, corrode or burn. Therefore, various products of complex configuration can be molded from fiberglass concrete, which are used in civil engineering in the construction of highways, water pipelines and water storage tanks, mines and tunnels.

Can also be used to make pipes large diameter. It is reinforced with both chopped fiber and alkali-resistant fiberglass meshes.

The small wall thickness of the pipes and the absence of sleeve connections allow for a reduction in the size of the ditch and the volume of the backfill. Pipelines can be laid under roads with a large traffic load, tk. fiberglass concrete is durable and has high strength properties when alkali-resistant fiberglass is used as a reinforcing component.

It is an ideal material for bridges, where it is used for the manufacture of elements of parapets, noise barriers. These elements can be quite large in length with a small weight. In addition, glass fiber reinforced concrete provides more high level protection of steel reinforcement and higher resistance to chloride penetration than concrete of the same thickness.

The low weight of the products and the thinness of the walls make it possible to use glass fiber reinforced concrete for the manufacture of elements of channels and water pipes, which replace short and heavy elements cast from concrete. Reducing the weight of the product by 3 times makes it easier to work in the construction of drainage and irrigation systems on rough terrain. In addition, during the construction of underground water or cable channels, construction costs as a result of reducing the number of required supports.

Elements of cable, drainage and irrigation channels made of glass fiber reinforced concrete can also be used as fixed formwork. In this case, the fiberglass elements are installed in place and then poured with concrete, while the material forms an internal channel profile with a smooth surface and eliminates the use of complex temporary formwork.

Technical advantages of SFRC compared to concrete and reinforced concrete

SFRC, in its essence, has no analogues in many technical and economic indicators in construction compared to traditionally used materials, therefore its distinctive features are:

• Increased crack resistance, impact strength, wear resistance, frost resistance and weather resistance;
• Possibility of using more effective design solutions than with conventional reinforcement, for example, the use of thin-walled structures, structures without rod or mesh distribution and transverse reinforcement, etc.;
• The possibility of reducing or completely eliminating the consumption of steel reinforcement, for example, in structures with economic responsibility;
• 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.

Note #1. SFRC elements with fiber reinforcement are recommended for use in structures operating:

• Mainly for shock loads, abrasion, punching and weathering;
• In compression at application eccentricities longitudinal force, for example, in elements of spatial overlaps;
• For bending under conditions that exclude their brittle fracture.

Note #2. Bearing SFRC elements are made with combined reinforcement.

Departmental building codes "Design and basic provisions of the production technology of fiber-reinforced concrete structures VSN 56-97" Moscow 1997

Every year new residential complexes appear in the capital, attracting the attention of potential buyers with their features. One of these is Tushino-2018, which, according to the developer, is the most environmentally friendly area in Moscow. Direct participation in the construction of buildings of this residential complex is taken by the company "ELITFASAD"

The company "ELITFACAD" for for long years is one of the largest domestic manufacturers fiberglass concrete. During the period of existence, we have managed to prove that our products fully meet the declared characteristics. This applies to strength, resistance to moisture and ultraviolet radiation, exposure to high temperatures. We constantly monitor the quality of our products and always strive to improve existing performance.

Manufacture and installation of elements of facade decoration for buildings of national importance for the company "ELITFASAD" is quite a common thing. This time, our specialists received an extremely important task - the arrangement of the facade of the Luzhniki stadium.

Comprehensive work was carried out, from design to installation, on the arrangement of the facade of a state facility in the very center of Moscow

Among the huge variety building materials glass fiber reinforced concrete deserves special attention. It is actively used in various industries, namely in the decoration of buildings, the manufacture of small architectural forms, decorative elements, landscape design. Compared to ordinary concrete, the production of fiberglass concrete is a much more labor-intensive process that requires a competent approach. For this, in most cases, special expensive equipment is used, which directly affects the cost of finished products from this universal composite finishing material.

The composition of glass fiber reinforced concrete

Considering the production of fiberglass concrete as a complex process, special attention should be paid to its composition, because the quality of the finished product primarily depends on this. At the same time, it is important not only to observe the proportions of all components, but also to carefully monitor the quality of each of them. Depending on the purpose for which fiberglass concrete will be used, the percentage of its components can vary greatly. As for the components, without which the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete is simply impossible, these include:

• cement;
• quartz sand;
• fiberglass (mandatory alkali-resistant);
• plasticizer.

The proportion of these components in the finished mixture affects not only the properties of this material, but also its cost. For our company, the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete is the main activity in which we have been successfully engaged for a long time. We are engaged not only in manufacturing, but we can also deliver finished products to any point. Russian Federation. Over the years of its existence, our company has managed to become one of the leaders in the production and sale of glass fiber reinforced concrete within Russia. Our experts carefully monitor each stage of the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete, so that in the end the customer will receive a really high-quality product. At the same time, the cost of finished products will definitely pleasantly surprise each of our customers.

We pay special attention to the quality of all components that are necessary for the preparation of the mixture. A whole group of specialists is working on this, who are responsible for the production of fiberglass concrete and monitor the slightest deviations from the established norms. Thanks to this, each of our customers can be sure of the quality of the purchased products.

In the production of fiberglass concrete, our company also uses special additives, due to which it is possible to significantly improve the properties of this composite finishing material. At the same time, significant changes relate to the molding properties of glass fiber reinforced concrete, which are significantly improved. Thanks to the use of additives, it becomes possible to imitate such natural materials as granite, sandstone. In addition, the production of fiberglass concrete using such components makes it possible to give the material not only a suitable structure, but also color. Most often, this is necessary when creating unique elements of facade decoration or small architectural forms. The percentage of impurities in the composition often does not exceed 1-2 percent, while it is possible to significantly improve the main indicators of the material.

Sand-cement mixture is the main component, without which the production of fiberglass concrete is impossible. In order to achieve the highest possible strength of the finished product, it is necessary that the ratio of quartz sand and cement is 2:1. However, depending on the purposes for which fiberglass concrete will be used, the percentage ratio of these components of the mixture can reach 70 to 30 in favor of sand. In this case, of course, the strength of the finished material will be significantly less.

Another equally important component that is necessary for the manufacture of glass fiber reinforced concrete is glass fiber. Due to its presence in the composition, the operational properties of the material are significantly improved. At the same time, the production of fiberglass concrete is possible only with the use of alkali-resistant fiberglass. First of all, it allows you to significantly increase the strength of the material. In addition, there is resistance to moisture and chemicals, due to which the service life of glass fiber reinforced concrete is significantly increased. The material, due to the presence of fiberglass in the composition, also receives resistance to temperature extremes.

In the production of fiberglass concrete, special attention is also paid to the quantity and quality of fiberglass. In the finished mixture, this component, according to established standards, should be in the range of 3-5 percent. In addition, it is extremely important to use alkaline fiberglass. Otherwise, it will immediately react with the alkali contained in the cement. In addition to the percentage of microfiber in the composition of the finished mixture, the structure of its fibers may also differ. This concerns their length, quality.

We have the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete - a process that is controlled at all stages, from the stage of purchasing raw materials and ending with molding. This is what allows our company to be one of the leaders of the domestic market in this segment. The products of our production are primarily famous for their high quality, while it also has an acceptable cost, which is important for each client.

Today, the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete is a fairly developed industry, although a few decades ago the number of factories that were engaged in the manufacture of this building material in the territory of the Russian Federation could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Today, dozens of companies are engaged in this type of activity. Our plant also offers delivery to anywhere in Russia. Every year, the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete in our country reaches a new, higher quality level, which our regular customers, whose number is gradually growing every year, can see for themselves. To do this, we use modern equipment from the best world manufacturers. Thanks to this, our company managed to almost completely automate the process of manufacturing glass fiber reinforced concrete, thus minimizing the participation of workers whose main task is to control the operation of the equipment.

Methods for the production of fiberglass concrete

Today, the production of fiberglass concrete is established in almost all regions of the country. In this case, only a few methods for manufacturing this composite finishing material are used. Some of them can be applied at home, which also deserves attention. In addition, this can be done without the use of special expensive equipment. In large factories, the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete takes place using the following methods:

• pneumatic spray . To apply this method, an air gun is used. It is necessary for the normal mixing of the components and their uniform application during molding. For the production of products from this composite finishing material, special forms are used. Mixing at the outlet of the air gun nozzle, all components are evenly distributed, thus forming a homogeneous mass. The main disadvantage of this method is the high cost of the equipment. This is precisely what influenced the fact that not all enterprises can afford the production of fiberglass concrete by air spray today.
  In the manufacture of this building material, in each case, special attention is paid to the size of the fiberglass. It can also be crushed directly in the air gun before mixing the mixture components. The percentage of fiberglass in the range of 3-5 percent is considered normal, which should be carefully monitored by specialists. Using this method of production of glass fiber reinforced concrete, it is possible to dose all components with maximum accuracy, which is one of the most important tasks. Due to the high cost of equipment, this method is not used by all manufacturers today. At the same time, the production of fiberglass concrete on an industrial scale using this method is almost impossible. In most cases, enterprises use the vibroformation method. It is less labor intensive and there is no need to purchase expensive equipment. This is what served to popularize it;

• vibration formation . The use of this method involves the advance preparation of a sand-cement mortar, after which microfiber is added to its composition. After that, mixing and vibroforming takes place. Today, the production of fiberglass concrete by this method is most in demand. At the same time, the cost of finished products is the lowest. This method is suitable only for the manufacture of products simple forms. The only condition for its use is the presence of a special stand. It is with its help that the finished mixture is formed. In addition, the production of fiberglass concrete using this method allows you to evenly distribute fiberglass in the mixture. This is possible thanks to the vibration of the stand.

Our company has established the production of fiberglass concrete by each of these methods. A significant difference is the cost of finished products, which must be taken into account by customers. The method of pneumatic spraying makes it possible to produce complex elements which is its main advantage.

In addition to the above methods, the production of fiberglass concrete is also possible by pre-mixing. It can also be used at home, it is enough just to correctly calculate and adhere to the correct ratio of all components of the mixture. This method makes it possible to produce only small batches of this composite finishing material. In addition, the production of fiberglass concrete by pre-mixing does not require the use of special equipment. For normal mixing of the components of the mixture, a concrete mixer will be enough.

Our main advantages

Our company is one of the few in the Russian Federation that can boast of using the latest equipment for the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete, which makes it possible to achieve the highest quality of finished products. At the same time, every year the pace of production only increases, as does the number of our regular customers. Other benefits include:

• quality control of raw materials and finished products. Each client can be sure of the highest quality purchased material, because the process of manufacturing glass fiber reinforced concrete is under the close supervision of our specialists;
• Possibility of delivery to any point in Russia. We not only have a well-established production of glass fiber reinforced concrete, but also well-developed logistics. Thanks to this, each client will be able to receive the goods purchased from us as soon as possible. The cost of this service will definitely surprise you;
• application modern methods fiberglass production. Our company actively uses vibroforming and pneumatic spraying for the manufacture of products of any size and shape. These are the most popular methods for manufacturing this building material;
• clear fulfillment of their obligations within the agreed time frame. Our company can offer the production of fiberglass concrete and products from it, while we always fulfill the order on time, which can be confirmed by hundreds of our customers.

Accurate fulfillment of our obligations is one of our main advantages. At the same time, the cost of production also deserves special attention, because it is on average 15-20 percent lower than that of our competitors. At the same time, the production of glass fiber reinforced concrete takes place using identical technologies.

Today, our company is the largest manufacturer of this composite finishing material. Every year we only strengthen our position in the domestic market of the country. At the same time, the production of fiberglass concrete takes place in two shifts, and the work of the plant does not stop even for a minute.

It's hard to imagine something as well-suited for widespread use as glass fiber reinforced concrete. This lightweight and durable material makes it possible to turn any artistic idea of ​​the architect into reality, and no weather can destroy such magnificence. So what is good about fiberglass concrete, products from which are so highly valued by the majority professional builders.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) is an absolutely environmentally friendly building material that is harmless to humans. In fact, this is a multicomponent composite substance based on simple concrete, with the addition of reinforcing materials, primarily polymeric alkali-resistant fiberglass and additional components: sand, water and Portland cement (a synthetic substance based on calcium silicates, which has excellent binding properties).

The technological process of manufacturing glass fiber reinforced concrete cannot be called unnecessarily complicated. In fact, the action is a combination of all components in the required ratio and further mixing in a concrete mixer. The manufacturing process consists of several stages:

• a mixture of cement-sand mortar is prepared in the following proportions: for 48 kg of cement (grade PC 500) and 6 kg of a chemical additive, consisting of a percentage of 88% silicon oxide (SiO2), 10% plasticizer grade C-3 and 2% water ) 22 kg of purified sand is poured,
• then water is added to the mixture, at the rate of 17 cubic meters per finished mixture (such a large number of water is required in order for the solution to have the necessary degree of liquid medium for the process of applying to the surface of the mold through an air gun),
• then the resulting material is subjected to cyclic mixing for five minutes in a concrete mixer (or in a special mixer with a frequency of 500 rpm),
• after these steps, reinforcing fibers are added to the finished mixture polymer material and carry out subsequent kneading to evenly distribute the fibers throughout the mixture. It should be noted that mixing is carried out at low speed, no more than 70 rpm,
• then, using a pneumatic gun, the finished solution is applied layer by layer to the bottom of the mold, first a preliminary one, with a thickness of 2 mm, after which the main 6 mm is applied, and then a seal is made using a simple roller.

As can be seen from the above methodology, it is quite possible to prepare such a mixture yourself, if you have necessary components and tools for the job. Despite the fact that the preparation of glass fiber reinforced concrete does not require special conditions and is quite low-cost, this universal material In addition, it has a number of characteristics that provide it with a leading position among competitors:

• dry density averages two tons per cubic meter,
• the impact strength of the resulting material is from 1 to 2.5 kilograms per millimeter square,
• fire resistance of SFB is higher than that of concrete,
• thermal conductivity is only 0.6 W per square centimeter,
• the ultimate strength at the moment of tension in bending is on average 260 kg per square meter. cm.

To put it simply, fiberglass concrete exceeds ordinary concrete in impact strength by 10 times, corrosion resistance is twice as high. On average, the bending, tensile and compressive strength indicators are two times higher than those of concrete, the viscosity when the strength is reached is up to 30 times higher. The frost resistance of SFB is 7 times higher than that of reinforced concrete. In fact, all this is achieved by introducing reinforcing fibers from fibers with a fiber length of 20 to 40 millimeters into the material. Rest technological process the production of the mixture does not have significant differences compared to the preparation of conventional concrete.

Advantages of fiberglass concrete

Fiberglass concrete has a number of advantages that make its use economically feasible:

• SFB quite easily takes any architectural form, it is possible to create from the simplest to multi-level composite design elements. Recreate a really beautiful decor element with the help of the desired shape,
• the ratio of weight and strength of the material is quite confidently called optimal, which has a positive effect on the transportation and storage of the material,
• technologically, SFRC is a perfect building material: with a simple addition of glass fibers to the structure of the mixture, its qualities in terms of strength, resistance to external sources and a decrease in the number of shrinkage microcracks allowed glass fiber reinforced concrete to quickly gain popularity in the construction industry,
• the material is chemically resistant to acids and alkalis,
• good performance in providing heat and sound insulation properties compared to conventional concrete,
• an important advantage when used in architectural decoration: aesthetic appeal.

SFB allows you to recreate almost any surface, so this property will be another plus towards its aesthetic appearance. The decision to use the specified material for facing various structures will be correct. For example, fiberglass fences are distinguished not only by their strength, but also by their ease of erection. But what is required first of all for the installation of such a fence?

Necessary equipment for the installation of a fiberglass fence

Of course, you cannot build any fence on enthusiasm alone. the following components must be available:

• metal reinforcement with a diameter of 10 mm, which will be inserted into the foundation and serve as a shrinkable base for SFRC blocks,
• cement mortar (the ratio of two parts of cement to six sand is quite suitable when mixing the mixture),
• building level (preferably two, one of a small length of 50 cm, the second building, 2 meters long),
• perforator for making holes for reinforcement in concrete blocks,
• perforator nozzle for mixing the solution,
• a rope for setting a horizontal level when laying blocks,
• paint for finishing decoration of mounted panels.

The final appearance of the fence will be distinguished by monumentality and aesthetic appeal. In fact, it will be quite easy to achieve even flashy high cost and pomposity, which will appeal to lovers of this style. However, it is important to remember that finished goods from fiberglass concrete are characterized by a high final cost, which is a significant disadvantage. The main difficulty lies in the acquisition of fiberglass. To prepare the solution, use bulk material with separated fibers ranging in size from 20 to 40 mm.

Foundation for fiberglass fence

Before considering how to make a fence from SFB, a quality foundation should be prepared. Despite the fact that the finished blocks have a relatively small weight in relation to concrete, the technology for creating a foundation for the base of the fence does not have significant differences. This is primarily due to the fact that the foundation must hold the fence in a level position. long term, despite the influence of climate and soil quality.

When creating a foundation that will stand for decades, the following points should be considered:

• all components for work must be prepared in advance: tools and components for preparing the mixture,
• it is necessary to observe the proportions when mixing the components of the solution,
• it is necessary to moisten the earth in the trench with water, since the soil tends to draw out moisture, such an action is necessary in order to maintain the ratio of water in the solution under the foundation.

The first step is markup:

1. To begin with, it is worth carefully marking the boundaries of the future fence. In the corners (if the fence will have a rectangular shape), it is necessary to drive in stakes on which a rope is attached to visually mark and align the boundaries.
2. After that, it is necessary to carry out calculations according to the project on how many fencing posts will be dug between the spans of wall blocks.
3. Further, a trench is dug along the fence lines, with a depth corresponding to the type of soil on which the work is carried out:

• continental soils are best suited for the foundation, as they consist of rocks of gravel or sand with a coarse-grained structure. For such soil, a digging depth of 40 cm is quite suitable;
• sedimentary soils in places where water bodies (rivers, lakes) were previously located are poorly suited for laying the foundation. If silty or clay masses predominate in the soil, it is not advisable to build a foundation, since the silt is washed away, and the clay absorbs moisture and swells, as a result of which the foundation will inevitably be destroyed,
• a completely sandy base is also a problem. In this case, it is often necessary to deepen the foundation by a meter into the ground, and reinforce the bottom of the trench with pillows of coarse gravel (from 20 mm),
• bulk soils are convenient enough for building a foundation on them, since they do not require preliminary preparation.

In this case, it is enough to dig a trench 40-50 centimeters deep and strengthen it with formwork.
For the construction of a fiberglass fence, the most preferred option would be the construction strip foundation 50 cm deep and wider than the fence. Such a foundation is constructed with the help of gravel, when the bottom of the excavated trench is covered with a gravel cushion, and formwork from boards is installed along the edges of the trench. Following this, with the help of reinforcement welded together with a diameter of 10 mm, the foundation is laid, which is poured with concrete mortar. When the foundation is ready, it is worth proceeding with the direct construction of the fence on the site.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete fence installation technology

Making a fence with your own hands from hollow fiberglass blocks is not so difficult if you follow all aspects of the work and carefully install the blocks.

• the first stage is the installation of hollow slabs (pedestals) of the base, on which the mortar will subsequently be poured,
• in the base blocks, it is necessary to pre-drill inlets for reinforcement with a puncher or a powerful drill,
• next, the remaining elements are assembled: first, the vertical pillars of the base, then the horizontal elements of the fence (each of which is filled with cement mortar of any brand and reinforced).

It is important to carry out constant control of all mounted elements of glass fiber reinforced concrete blocks at the same level, without tolerances for deviations. After the construction is completed, the work ends with the stage of finishing. The assembled blocks are painted in the desired color with paint for concrete surfaces, and the fence is ready.

As mentioned earlier, due to the excellent ability of the SWF to imitate other natural materials, from blocks of the same composition, it is possible to create integral compositions that will be bizarre relief surfaces with the appearance of wood or marble. With the help of fiberglass concrete, there will be no question of how to make the fence aesthetically attractive. It is quite simple to create a finished mixture, and if you have artistic taste and skills in creating molds for outdoor panels, then in a short time a fence will be erected, which is a real top of architectural design.

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Among the innovations in construction technologies more and more loudly declare themselves glass concrete. 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 by tens of times.

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 reinforced 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 stained in bulk (due to the introduction of the dye into concrete mix or colored fiber), 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, to imitate different materials, receive complex shapes. Facade decor glass fiber reinforced 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, glass fiber reinforced concrete significantly reduces the load on bearing walls and foundation, 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 stone based on aluminous cement, fiberglass reinforced, 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 according to chemical composition and strength - different types glasses 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.

TO ready solution chopped roving fiber (10%) is added 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 in the formwork 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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Concrete products and structures are used everywhere today. Meanwhile, the new time requires the introduction of new structural and composite materials in conjunction with new technologies.

In this case, it is often possible to create "new materials from the old ones." For concrete, this is realized by reinforcement. The filler allows you to get new material, which surpasses ordinary concrete in terms of economic indicators and strength characteristics.

Metallic, mineral and organic fillers are known - in the form of continuous threads (mesh, fabrics and other similar rolled materials) or in the form of short lengths of fibers - fibers. Fiber reinforcement of concrete gives rise to a new material - fiber-reinforced concrete.

Currently, three types of reinforcing fibrous materials are used:

• Fiber glass;
• Steel fiber;
• Fiber from synthetic fibers;

Glassfiber reinforced concrete - SFB (glassfiber reinforced concrete - GRC, English).

When introducing pieces of alkali-resistant glass fiber into fine-grained concrete (concrete-matrix), a composite material is obtained - glass fiber reinforced concrete, where the fiber is evenly distributed over the volume of the product or its individual parts (zones).

Technical characteristics of fiberglass concrete:

№	Characteristic	Value limits
1	Density (dry)	1700-2250 kg/m³
2	Charpy impact strength	1.1-2.5 kg.mm/mm²
3	Compressive strength	490-840 kg/cm²
4	Flexural tensile strength	210-320 kg/cm²
5	Elastic modulus	(1.0-2.5).104 MPa
6	Axial tensile strength:	Conditional elastic limit 28-70 kg/cm² - tensile strength 70-112 kg/cm²
7	elongation at break	(600-1200).10-5 or 0.6-1.2%
8	Shear resistance:	Between coats 35-54 kg/cm² - across layers 70-102 kg/cm²
9	Thermal expansion coefficient	(8-12).10-6 °С-1
10	Thermal conductivity	0.52-0.75 W/cm².°С
11	Waterproof according to GOST 12730
12	Filtration coefficient	10-8-10-10 cm/s
13	Frost resistance according to GOST 100600
14	fire resistance	Above the fire resistance of concrete
15	Combustibility	Fireproof material (speed of fire propagation)
16	Sound absorption at 15 mm thickness	125 Hz 250 Hz 500 Hz 1000 Hz 2000 Hz	27 dB 30 dB 35 dB 39 dB 40 dB

Note: converting kg/cm2 to MPa: g x kg/cm2 = MPa = 10 x kg/cm2.

Concrete and reinforcing fibers work together as adhesion takes place over the entire surface of the fiber. Due to such a gigantic area of ​​adhesion of concrete and fiber, qualitatively new properties of a composite material are formed, called glass fiber reinforced concrete or glass cement.

The use of SFRC allows to reduce the cost of construction, reduce labor costs, increase the reliability and durability of building structures.

Dispersed reinforcement significantly increases the strength properties of concrete, and also improves the performance of structures: resistance to dynamic, temperature and humidity effects, wear, abrasion, etc.

According to their purpose, glass fiber reinforced concrete products are divided into structural, decorative, waterproofing and special.

The main levers for obtaining the required parameters of SFB products are:

• the percentage of reinforcement (how many kg of glass roving is spent on 1 cubic meter of concrete);
• fiber length (combinations of short-fiber and long-fiber elements are possible);
• manufacturing techniques (“sprayed or premixed” or a combination of both).

Glass fiber reinforced concrete has exceptionally high technological properties in the formation of products of almost any desired shape, any geometry, any relief, any texture.

SFB-technology gives architects a powerful tool for the implementation of any ideas, because. in terms of plasticity, the ability to transfer the surface relief, as well as lightness (thin-walled products made of SFRC, i.e., low mass), no other material can compete.

Fibre-reinforced concrete with alkali-resistant glass fiber has high flexural and tensile strength, and is also characterized by high impact strength and elasticity.

Glass fiber reinforced concrete in terms of such indicators as crack resistance, fracture toughness, frost resistance, water resistance, fire resistance is several times superior to ordinary concrete.

The production of glass fiber reinforced concrete requires the use of special equipment for GFRC. These are stationary complexes STs-45 of the NST company. The task of the STs-45 is to feed the cement mortar under pressure into a special pneumatic spray gun, where the fiberglass is chopped into pieces of the desired length, fluffed up, mixed with the mortar and sprayed onto the mold under pressure. To date, the line of equipment for SFB is represented by 2 types of complexes: with gerotor and peristaltic pumps.

Glass concrete structures according to the method of reinforcement are divided into the following types:

• With fiber reinforcement - only fiberglass is used;
• With combined reinforcement - glass fiber is used in combination with steel reinforcement.

The thickness of SFRC products, as a rule, is from 6...10 mm to 20...30 mm, so the cost of materials is minimal. One of the main advantages of fiberglass products on the construction site is that at elevated strength characteristics they are not heavy, their mass is not great.

Wall cladding panels made of fiberglass concrete during the reconstruction of old and construction of new buildings allow you to get an exclusive and beautiful facade. decorative concrete gives buildings a cozy and comfortable appearance.

Time is not subject to such a facade: even after 50 years it will remain the same: it will not crack, it will not collapse. If, due to external influence, a facade element is mechanically damaged, it can always be replaced with a similar one (it is impossible to distinguish between SFRC products obtained today and in 10 years from one form).

SFB perfectly keeps temperature changes and feels great when low temperatures. The "NST" company supplied the SC-45 complexes to Chukotka, where they were used in the construction of schools. A protective SFB plaster was applied over the thermal insulation made of polyurethane foam. What for? Facades where conventional cement mortars, after a year they are destroyed, unable to withstand 50-degree frosts.

An important addition to the cladding panels can serve as antique decorative elements in the restoration and reconstruction of buildings. Also, fiberglass concrete is indispensable for framing window openings, making porticos, cornices, sun screens, etc.

Fiber cement is an excellent material for various types of roofing. They can imitate traditional roofing materials such as slate, ceramic tiles. But, unlike them, it is not fragile and not heavy. For its fastening, ordinary slate nails are used without pre-drilling holes, since fiberglass concrete is durable and does not split during fastening.

Fiberglass panels of various textures

Glass fiber reinforced concrete plays an important role in the design of urban recreation areas from the aesthetic side of construction projects and small architectural forms. It can be used for arranging picturesque decorative ponds, fountains, benches, flower beds, balustrades, kiosks, etc. Small architectural forms made of fiberglass concrete have a more attractive appearance, because fiberglass allows you to transfer any shape, relief and surface finish to blend with the surrounding landscape. Plaster coatings using fiberglass concrete have high strength, as well as high resistance to cracking and peeling.

Glass cement has a high resistance to chemicals, including urban pollution and salt solutions. SFB does not rust, rot, corrode or burn. Therefore, various products of complex configuration can be molded from fiber-reinforced concrete, which are used in civil engineering in the construction of highways, bridges, overpasses, tunnels, parapets, noise barriers.

These elements can be quite large in length with a small weight. In addition, glass fiber reinforced concrete provides a higher level of protection for steel reinforcement and a higher resistance to chloride penetration than concrete of the same thickness.

Elements of cable, drainage and irrigation channels made of glass fiber reinforced concrete can also be used as fixed formwork. In this case, GRC elements are installed in place and then poured with concrete, while the role of GRC is to form an internal channel profile with a smooth surface and eliminate the use of complex temporary formwork.

Fiber cement is an excellent material for the manufacture of elements of channels and water pipes, because. long and light segments can be obtained from it, while short and heavy elements are cast from ordinary concrete. This is very important, because reducing the weight of the pipe makes it easier to work with the construction of drainage and irrigation systems on rough terrain.

GRC can also be used to make large diameter pipes. It is reinforced with both chopped roving and alkali-resistant fiberglass meshes. The small wall thickness of the pipes and the absence of sleeve connections allow for a reduction in the size of the ditch and the volume of the backfill. Pipelines can be laid under roads with a large traffic load, because. fiberglass concrete is durable and has high strength properties.