Innovative free-form glass fiber reinforced concrete (GRC) panel

Abstract

This paper focuses on the manufacture of architectural free-form GRC panels with 3D printed internal grid. Since double-curvature formworks and molds could account for up to 40 to 80% of the production cost of the pieces, especially in small series product, avoiding these casting requirements is a highly attractive prospect economically. In this paper a feasible, moldless, 3D printing method combined with a Glass Reinforced Concrete alternative is considered as a solution to this drawback. Furthermore, it explores current methods involved in free-form GRC panel production, as well as the approach to additive manufacturing as an alternative for eluding formworks. Thus, GRC and 3D printing processes are described in detail and then evaluated as complementary techniques in this hybrid technology.Key words: Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete, 3D printing, free-form architecture, no mold process, doubly-curved panel. ResumenEste artículo se centra principalmente en la fabricación de paneles arquitectónicos de forma libre de GRC, con una malla interna impresa en 3D. Debido a que los moldes y los encofrados de doble curvatura representan entre el 40 al 80% del precio de producción de los paneles, la opción de evitar el uso del molde, especialmente en pequeñas series, es una idea muy atractiva económicamente. Por lo tanto, para resolver dicho inconveniente, se presenta un método fiable, sin necesidad de molde, con impresión 3D, y combinando con hormigón reforzado con fibra de vidrio. Además, se exploran los métodos actuales que están involucrados en la producción de paneles de GRC, así como también la aproximación de la manufactura aditiva, como una alternativa para evitar los encofrados. Los procesos de GRC y de impresión 3D son descritos en detalle, y posteriormente evaluados como técnicas complementarias en esta tecnología híbrida.

Productivity analysis and efficiency of concrete casting using mini-cranes with a capacity of 200 kg based on appropriate technology

“…Concrete with high artistic value or Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete-GRC can be made with low cost (Vergara et al, 2017), concrete in addition to being the main construction in a building, it can also be made as high-value artwork or GRC, with curved variants according to the characteristics of the shell Beautiful can save costs by 40% to 80%. And even the use of additives and hybrid technology is an alternative to the manufacturing approach by no longer using the machine.…”