What principles should be followed when stacking components?

Proper stacking of GRC components is a key step in ensuring their quality remains intact from the factory to installation; improper stacking is one of the main causes of component deformation, cracking, and edge damage. Qinglong Group has summarized a twenty-character stacking principle: "level ground, stable support, categorized stacking, height limits with anti-tilting measures, and thorough protection." In the Nanning Wuxiang China Resources MixC One project, thousands of GRC components, managed through standardized stacking, went through months of storage and transfer without a single one being damaged by improper stacking, laying a solid foundation for efficient installation.

Site and Support: The Foundation of Stability

The stacking site must be solid, level, and well-drained, with no risk of uneven settlement. Components must never touch the ground directly; timber dunnage must be used. The dunnage should have sufficient strength and stiffness, with a cross-section typically no smaller than 100mm×100mm, and must undergo preservative treatment. The dunnage pieces must be vertically aligned and positioned at the load-bearing points of the components (such as near the lifting points or beneath the stiffening ribs) to ensure even load distribution and prevent cracking of cantilevered sections caused by excessive bending moments from self-weight. In multi-layer stacking, the vertical projection of the dunnage on each layer must be aligned, forming a continuous vertical load-transfer path.

Categorized Stacking and Orientation Control: Efficiency and Safety

Components of different specifications, shapes, and batches must be stacked by category and in separate zones, with clear labels for easy counting and dispatch. Panel-type components should be stored "vertically" or at a slight tilt (tilt angle no greater than 15 degrees), which helps maintain their flatness and facilitates hoisting. Special-shaped components, mouldings, column capitals, and similar items should be placed on custom stacking racks designed for their shapes to ensure stability. The placement orientation of components should take their structural characteristics into account; for example, components with large cantilevered flanges should be positioned with the flanges facing upward or given special support.

Height Limits and Anti-Tilting: Preventing Collapse Risks

Stacking height must be strictly controlled. Typically, flat-panel components should not be stacked more than 6 layers high, and special-shaped components no more than 3 layers. Overly high stacks increase the load on bottom-layer components and are inherently unstable, prone to tipping over under wind loads or accidental impact. For taller stacks, reliable anti-toppling measures must be taken, such as using crisscross (#-shaped) stacking frames, or securing the stacks with straps to adjacent stacks or fixed objects. Adequate aisles (generally no less than 0.8 meters) should be left between stacks for inspection and handling.

Comprehensive Protection and Dynamic Inspection

After stacking, components must be fully protected: covered with waterproof tarpaulins against rain and snow; fitted with corner guards at edges and corners; and marked with warning signs at spots prone to knocks. Meanwhile, a regular inspection system should be established to check whether the dunnage has settled, whether components have deformed, and whether protection remains intact, especially after windy or rainy weather. In coastal or polluted areas, care must also be taken to prevent erosion by salt spray or chemical contaminants. Scientific stacking management is an indispensable link in the GRC product value chain.