GRC Civil Engineering Products
GRC Civil Engineering ProductsGRC is a combination of cement, fine aggregates and glass fibres. Its ability to provide a material combining the high strength of alkali resistant glassfibre and the rigidity of a cement-rich matrix in lightweight, easily formed thin sections can be exploited in a wide range of civil engineering and architectural applications. Trent Concrete supplies GRC civil engineering solutions for sewer relining and permanent formwork.
Sewer relining in GRC
There are miles and miles of sewers beneath all major UK cities. Many are double skin brickwork dating back to Victorian times, and are now in serious need of rehabilitation. Providing the sewer has not collapsed, rigid glass fibre reinforced concrete liners can be slid down and grouted to the existing sewer wall, extending the life of the sewer and providing full structural support. Relining provides a cost-effective and efficient solution with minimum disruption to traffic on the street above.
GRC is a highly versatile and economical material that has several significant advantages over glass reinforced plastic (GRP) in sewer applications. GRC is stiffer than GRP and bonds well with the grout lining, essentially becoming part of the sewer structure, and is therefore more resilient to water pressure or ground movement. Concrete is also more acid and alkali resistant, and not as susceptible to rodent attack as its GRP counterpart.
Permanent Formwork
GRC permanent soffit formwork provides a practical and economical way of supporting freshly poured in-situ concrete in composite bridge decks. It eliminates the need for temporary shuttering or props, and can hence increase construction speed and reduce site labour costs. It carries the weight of wet concrete and other loads and is sufficiently durable to maintain its position throughout the life of the bridge. GRC formwork is available as thin panels, in either flat corrugated profile, so that it becomes bonded with the in-situ concrete over the full surface area of the panel. GRC formwork is lightweight, free from maintenance, forms a good fire-resistant layer and can improve the underside finish of the bridge
Please see our case studies which show these products in use.