How Should the Thickness of GRC Components at Corners Be Handled?

Corner areas of GRC components are stress concentration zones, where improper thickness treatment can easily lead to cracking and damage. Drawing on 28 years of engineering practice, Qinglong Group has summarized three major principles for thickness control at corner areas: equal-strength design, gradual transition, and local reinforcement. Through scientific structural design and process measures, it ensures the safety and durability of corner areas.

Equal-strength design is the foundation of corner thickness control. Thickness is determined according to the bending moment distribution to avoid stress concentration caused by abrupt changes. In the Wuhan Han Show Theater project, Qinglong Group optimized the corner curvature radius through finite element analysis: the external corner radius is no less than 1.5 times the panel thickness (typically 20-30mm), and the internal corner radius is no less than the panel thickness (15-20mm). Thickness changes use slope transitions with a gradient of no more than 1:6 to avoid the sharp corner effect. Monitoring data show that after optimization, the stress concentration factor at corner areas dropped from 3.0 to below 1.5, significantly improving crack resistance.

Gradual transition achieves smooth stress distribution. Arc transitions are used where thickness changes, with a transition length of no less than 100mm. For the double-curved panels of the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, Qinglong Group applied parametric design to optimize the transition zone shape, allowing stress to transfer smoothly. For complex corners such as L-shaped and T-shaped ones, load-bearing performance is improved by adding chamfers (20×20mm) or reinforcing ribs (thickness increased by 20%-30%). In the Nanning Wuxiang China Resources MixC One project, the thickness at corner areas is 15% greater than that of flat panels, while a bulky appearance is avoided through optimized shaping.

Local reinforcement improves impact resistance. Glass fiber mesh (mass per unit area ≥300g/㎡) or steel frames are added at corner areas. At vulnerable locations, Qinglong Group raises the fiber volume content to 5%, increasing impact energy resistance by 3 times. For corners of cantilevered components, concealed beams are installed for enhancement, with a reinforcement ratio of no less than 0.6%. Through scientific thickness treatment, corner areas work in coordination with the panel body, significantly enhancing overall performance.