Processing Differences Between Single-Curved and Double-Curved GRC Panels: A Comparison of Process Characteristics and Technical Difficulties

In the field of modern architectural decoration, glass fibre reinforced concrete (GRC) has become an important material for shaping architectural aesthetics thanks to its lightweight, high-strength and flexible-forming properties. As two typical forms, single-curved GRC panels and double-curved GRC panels differ significantly in processing technology, which directly affects project execution and cost control. As an industry leader with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group will analyze the core differences between the two from three aspects—process characteristics, technical difficulties and solutions—providing professional reference for designers and owners.

I. Single-Curved GRC Panels: Balancing Standardized Production and Efficient Construction

A single-curved GRC panel refers to an arc-shaped component bent along a single direction, and its processing technology is characterized by "precision within standardization". During the mold-making stage, single-curved shapes can be achieved through CNC-cut EPS modules or steel molds, with mold reuse rates exceeding 80%, effectively reducing production costs. In terms of material mix, Qinglong adopts its self-developed crack-resistant formula, with glass fibre content strictly controlled at 4.5%-5%, ensuring a panel flexural strength of ≥18MPa and meeting the requirements of the Technical Standard for Building Applications of Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018).

In the production stage, single-curved panels can be mass-produced through an automated spray-up molding process, with a daily output of up to 300 square meters. Notably, the technical difficulty lies in the precise control of surface curvature—taking a single-curved panel with a 5-meter radius as an example, Qinglong controls the error within ±2mm through BIM model pre-assembly and 3D scanning inspection, ensuring a perfect fit with the main structure during on-site installation. Such panels are widely used in scenarios such as curved curtain walls of commercial complexes and sunshade systems of metro stations. For example, in a landmark project undertaken by Qinglong, single-curved GRC sunshade panels were efficiently delivered covering 12,000 square meters.

II. Double-Curved GRC Panels: The Frontier of Customization Challenges and Technical Breakthroughs

Double-curved GRC panels, possessing curvature in two directions simultaneously, are known in the industry as "the ultimate test of sculptural art". Their processing technology is characterized by "high customization and high precision requirements": molds must be made using 3D engraving technology, with the per-piece customization cost being 3-5 times that of single-curved molds, and they are almost impossible to reuse. At the material level, due to complex stress conditions, double-curved components require higher-strength alkali-free glass fibre combined with low-alkali cement. Through patented technology (Patent No. ZL2021XXXXXXXXX), Qinglong controls panel thickness at 15-25mm, achieving a 20% weight reduction compared with traditional processes.

In terms of technical difficulties, double-curved GRC panels face three major challenges: First, uneven material flow during the forming process can easily lead to localized fibre distribution imbalance—Qinglong optimized the spraying path through CFD flow field simulation, raising fibre dispersion uniformity to 92%; Second, stress cracks easily occur during demolding—by using a self-developed elastic release agent and a step-by-step demolding process, the cracking rate is controlled below 0.3%; Third, installation positioning requires extremely high precision. For example, in a double-curved ceiling project for a grand theatre, Qinglong applied BIM+GIS technology to achieve millimeter-level positioning and ultimately completed the seamless splicing of 6,800 square meters of double-curved GRC panels. The project won the "Silver Award of the First GRC Construction Engineering Innovation Award".

III. Full-Chain Solutions: Qinglong's Advantages from Design Development to After-Sales Maintenance

Whether single-curved or double-curved, the processing quality of GRC panels relies on full-chain capability support. As a national-level high-tech enterprise, Qinglong has built an integrated service system of "design-production-construction-maintenance": In the design phase, digital modeling of complex curved surfaces is achieved through the Rhino+Grasshopper parametric design platform; In production, the production base in Nanning, Guangxi is equipped with 20 fully automated production lines, with an annual output of 600,000 square meters; Construction and installation adopt 3D laser scanning and modular hoisting technology to ensure efficiency and precision; For after-sales service, Qinglong provides a warranty of up to 15 years, ensuring the long-term stability of GRC components through regular inspections and maintenance.

From the single-curved curtain wall of a commercial complex in Guangzhou to the double-curved skin of a cultural center in Nanjing, Qinglong, with 28 years of technical accumulation, has set industry benchmarks in the processing of both types of GRC panels. In the future, as architectural aesthetic demands continue to rise, Qinglong will continue to drive material innovation and process optimization, providing designers with broader creative space and delivering architectural works that combine artistic value and engineering quality for owners.