Specialist GFRC / GRC Facade Installation
GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete), also known as GRC, is concrete reinforced with glass fibers, enabling the production of lightweight, thin and formable panels. This system is ideal for distinctive facades with flat, curved and three-dimensional forms in office, commercial, cultural, religious and government projects.
Our track record: Sanandaj Railway Station — GFRC facade installation with bespoke formwork molds and engineered connection details, integrated with structural glass curtain walling.
1Advantages
- Lower weight than ordinary reinforced concrete
- High formability (curves, three-dimensional volumes, textured surfaces)
- Good weather resistance
- Large panels feasible with reliable mechanical connections
2Technical Notes
Panel Structure
- A GFRC skin typically 10 to 30 mm thick
- In many cases, a light internal steel frame
Substructure & Connections
- Design of steel substructures (box sections, channels, etc.)
- Embedment of anchors, hooks and plates on the back of the panel during production
- Panel fixing to the substructure with bolts, brackets, etc., accounting for wind load, weight and thermal expansion
Joints & Pointing
- Determining the spacing between panels
- Selection of joint type (elastomeric, specialty mortar, etc.) and the waterproofing detail
Custom execution detail
GFRC is cement plus glassfibre: strong in compression, in need of precise restraint in tension. The anchors are the heart of this system's safety.
Part-by-part notes:
- 1GFRC face coat 15 to 20 mm thick — AR-glass fibres at a precise weight ratio; a fibre deficiency means cracks during handling and installation.
- 2Backing ribs — a plain skin does not have enough stiffness on its own; the ribs shorten the anchor spacing and spread the load.
- 3Galvanised/stainless L-anchors fixed to the ribs — the anchor must be height-adjustable (bolt + shim) so panel alignment is set independently of frame-erection tolerances.
- 4Shims (packing strips) and anchor fixings to the slab — never point the underside of a panel with mortar; level it on steel shims, then fill the bearing with non-shrink mortar.
- 5Neutral silicone joint between the panels — GFRC moves thermally; a narrow joint or acrylic sealant means cracking and leaks. Joint width is typically 15 to 20 mm.
AI & analytical tools
- Optimization of panel dimensions, thickness and the number of connections based on form and loads
- Form simulation and panel layout on the three-dimensional volume of the building
- Smart cost estimate based on area, form complexity and project height
Execution steps
- 1Architectural analysis and definition of the desired forms
- 2Breaking the three-dimensional form down into producible, installable panels
- 3Steel substructure and connection detail design
- 4Panel production at the factory and quality control
- 5Transport, installation, adjustment and joint pointing
- 6Protective coating where required, and handover
Take the next step
If your project features special, complex facade forms, GFRC is a professional and flexible solution. For feasibility, design and installation, draw on the experience of the Namakaran Fakher Engineering Co. team.