How Does the Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Exterior Wall GRC Affect Construction?

The thermal expansion coefficient of GRC material, 8-12×10⁻⁶/℃, requires a scientifically designed movement joint system during construction. Failure to properly account for thermal deformation will lead to a series of problems such as joint cracking and anchor fatigue.

Panel joint calculation must comprehensively consider local annual and daily temperature differences. Taking Shanghai as an example, the extreme annual temperature difference reaches 60℃, and the theoretical expansion of a 6m long GRC panel reaches 3.6mm. In the Century Plaza project on Nanjing East Road, Qinglong used BIM to simulate solar radiation heat across the four seasons, dynamically adjusting the joint width to 4-10mm.

The anchoring system design must accommodate bidirectional deformation. A sliding connection using "slotted holes + spring washers" allows panels to expand and contract freely along the plane. Monitoring data from the Shenzhen Yirui Biotechnology Building shows that this construction can absorb 80% of thermal stress and avoid stress concentration.

Seasonal construction control is a key measure. During winter installation, an expansion allowance of 0.5mm/m should be reserved, while in summer joints should be appropriately compressed. In the Zhangzhou Bihu Wanda Plaza project, panel joints were adjusted in real time using laser rangefinders, achieving ±0.3mm precision control.