How Should Temporary Supports Be Set Up During GRC Panel Installation?

The installation of temporary supports during GRC panel installation is a key technical measure for ensuring construction safety, controlling installation precision, and preventing component deformation and damage. It must be specially designed following the principles of "safety and reliability, ease of adjustment, and timely removal." In complex projects such as the double-curved curtain wall of the Nanning New Media Center, Qinglong Group developed a modular, reusable temporary support system for large irregular GRC panels, ensuring precision and efficiency in high-altitude installation work and achieving zero safety incidents throughout the entire process.

Necessity Analysis and Design of Support Plans

Not all GRC panel installations require temporary supports. For small, lightweight profiles, installation workers can position and fix them directly. However, temporary supports must be installed in the following cases: 1) Large panels (any single side >1.5m or area >2㎡); 2) Heavy panels (weight >50kg); 3) Irregular panels (such as curved or cantilevered panels) that cannot stand stably on their own; 4) Panels requiring precise leveling and joint alignment. The support plan must be specified in the construction organization design, including the support form, materials, layout spacing, and removal time.

Support System Types and Material Selection

Common temporary supports include: 1) Independent steel pipe supports: suitable for ground or floor installation, with adjustable height and adjustable top brackets. 2) Cantilevered triangular brackets: suitable for exterior wall facade installation, fixed to floor slabs or structural beams. 3) Custom steel frames or wooden props: for special irregular components, support frames are made to fit the back contour of the component. All support members must have sufficient strength, rigidity, and stability, typically using metal materials such as steel pipes and square steel. Support points in contact with GRC panels must be cushioned with flexible materials (such as wood blocks or rubber pads) to prevent hard impacts.

Layout Principles and Installation Adjustment Key Points

The layout of support points must consider the shape and center of gravity of the GRC panel, typically arranged symmetrically, with no fewer than two points. Support points should be close to the panel's vertical gravity line or reinforcement rib positions, avoiding concentrated stress in thin areas of the panel. Supports should allow three-dimensional fine adjustment (especially in the height direction) to precisely position the panel. During installation, the supports should first be initially fixed, then the panel is hoisted into position and placed on the supports, followed by fine adjustment, and finally the permanent connectors are secured. Temporary supports must not be removed before the permanent connections are fully and reliably fixed.

Support Inspection and Removal Timing

The temporary support system itself must be stable and reliably connected to the main structure to prevent instability. During construction, supports should be regularly checked for settlement or loosening. Temporary supports must only be removed after all permanent connection points of the GRC panel (such as bolts and weld points) are fully installed and secure, and the panel position has passed final verification. Removal should follow the principles of "even, synchronized, and slow" to avoid introducing new internal forces into the panel. Scientific temporary supports are the "invisible assistant" of high-quality GRC installation.