Research on the Principles and Applications of Digital Mold Technology for Double-Curved GRC Forms

When architectural aesthetics meets digital technology, double-curved GRC forms are reshaping the boundaries of spatial art with millimeter-level precision.

In contemporary architectural design, double-curved GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) has become the "form language" of landmark buildings with its unique curved-surface expressiveness. However, traditional mold craftsmanship often faces challenges such as insufficient precision, high costs, and lengthy cycles when realizing complex double-curved forms. As an industry leader with 28 years of deep expertise in the UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials field, Qinglong Group has provided a full-chain solution for the industrialized production of double-curved GRC forms through the innovative application of digital mold technology.

Double-Curved GRC Digital Mold Technology: An Innovative Path from Design to Production

The core of digital mold technology lies in translating the "boundless imagination" of architectural design into quantifiable production data. Relying on the technical accumulation of its national-level R&D center, Qinglong Group builds digital models of double-curved surfaces using parametric design software (such as Rhino+Grasshopper), and combines BIM technology to achieve structural mechanics simulation and process optimization. Compared with traditional wooden or steel molds, digital molds offer three major advantages: first, controllable precision—through CNC engraving or 3D printing technology, mold errors can be controlled within ±0.5mm; second, flexible production—the same digital model can be quickly adapted to double-curved components of different sizes, reducing customization costs; third, efficient collaboration—real-time data synchronization across design, production, and installation avoids the information gaps of traditional workflows.

Synergy of Materials and Craftsmanship: Qinglong's Full-Chain GRC Technical Advantages

As a national "Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative" enterprise, Qinglong Group has achieved a deep integration of material formulations and digital craftsmanship in double-curved GRC production. Its self-developed low-alkali cement-based materials, combined with a continuous glass fiber reinforcement system, give components a flexural strength exceeding 20MPa, meeting the structural requirements of large-span double-curved forms. In the production stage, digital spray-up molding technology ensures uniform fiber distribution in the material, guaranteeing the flatness and durability of double-curved surfaces. In addition, Qinglong's full-chain service covering "detailed design – manufacturing – construction and installation – after-sales maintenance" provides customized solutions for different projects—for example, in a double-curved curtain wall project at a convention and exhibition center, modular mold design improved on-site installation efficiency by 40% while reducing material waste by 15%.

Industry Applications and Value: From Technological Innovation to Aesthetic Realization

Double-curved GRC digital mold technology has been widely applied in the field of high-end public buildings. In projects such as grand theaters and museums, Qinglong has used this technology to produce double-curved components with extremely small curvature radii of ≤300mm, as well as to achieve integrated molding of openwork reliefs and double-curved surfaces. Compared with traditional stone curtain walls, double-curved GRC weighs only 1/4 as much, greatly reducing building loads, while costing over 30% less than metal curtain walls. Notably, the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018), which Qinglong participated in formulating, provides the industry with technical specifications for digital production, driving the transformation of double-curved GRC from "artistic customization" to "industrialized production."

From conceptual design to on-site delivery, digital mold technology for double-curved GRC forms is redefining the possibilities of architectural decoration. Built on 28 years of industry experience, Qinglong Group continues to provide designers and owners with "the balance point between aesthetics and engineering" through technological innovation and full-chain service capabilities. In the future, as technologies such as 3D printing and AI parametric design are applied more deeply, double-curved GRC will display its unique charm in more landmark projects, turning buildings into truly "touchable art."