Discussion on Transportation Fixing Methods and Safety Assurance Measures for Large-Size GRC Panels

Discussion on Transportation Fixing Methods and Safety Assurance Measures for Large-Size GRC Panels

In the field of modern architectural decoration, GRC (Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete), with its lightweight, high-strength and versatile shaping characteristics, is widely used for exterior wall cladding panels and decorative components in high-end projects such as grand theatres, commercial complexes and landmark buildings. However, large-size GRC panels (usually referring to components longer than 6 metres or larger than 10㎡ in area) are prone to cracking, edge and corner damage, and even structural deformation during transportation due to their large volume and considerable self-weight, directly affecting project quality and construction progress. As an industry-leading enterprise with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group has summarised a systematic transportation fixing solution and safety assurance system based on practical experience accumulated from hundreds of large projects, providing professional technical reference for the industry.

I. Core Challenges and Technical Key Points of Transportation Fixing for Large-Size GRC Panels

The transportation fixing of large-size GRC panels must balance three core objectives: "deformation prevention", "collision prevention" and "tipping prevention". First, although GRC material has relatively high flexural strength (premium products can reach over 20MPa), super-large components are prone to deflection under gravity, so the fixing scheme must determine support points through mechanical calculation. For example, an 8-metre-long curved exterior wall panel requires 3-4 evenly distributed load-bearing support points with spacing controlled within 2.5 metres, and the parts in contact with the panel must be cushioned with 30mm-thick high-density sponge to avoid cracking caused by stress concentration. Second, jolting and turning during transportation can easily cause collisions between panels. Qinglong's technical team has innovatively adopted a combined solution of "modular frame + elastic buffering": customised steel transport racks are fitted with layered slots, into which EVA buffer strips (Shore hardness 50±5) are embedded; each slot holds only one GRC panel, with inter-layer spacing of no less than 15cm, ensuring that each component bears load independently.

II. Graded Fixing Solutions: Full-Process Protection from Factory to Site

Qinglong Group divides transportation fixing into three key stages—"in-factory loading", "road transportation" and "on-site unloading"—and implements graded protection. During the in-factory loading stage, gantry cranes are used together with vacuum suction cups for hoisting; lifting points are set strictly in accordance with detailed design drawings to ensure that the horizontal deviation of the panel is ≤2° when lifted. Special flatbed trucks with air suspension are selected as transport vehicles; the truck bed is lined with 50mm-thick rubber shock-absorbing pads, and the panels are fixed diagonally to the truck frame with adjustable steel brackets at an inclination angle of 15°-20° (to lower the centre of gravity), then secured with cross-strapped high-strength polyester straps (breaking strength ≥5000N), with curved metal corner guards added where the straps come into contact with the panels. For long-distance cross-province transportation, each vehicle is staffed with 2 professional escorts; driving speed is monitored in real time via GPS (≤80km/h on expressways, ≤60km/h on national roads), and the fixing condition is checked during stops every 2 hours.

III. Safety Assurance System: Dual Support of Technical Standards and Emergency Mechanisms

As a participating developer of the Technical Standard for Application of Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement (GRC) in Buildings (JGJ/T423-2018), Qinglong has established transportation safety specifications that exceed industry standards. All transportation schemes must be verified through structural force simulation software (such as ANSYS), with a stability coefficient of no less than 1.5 under extreme road conditions (such as gradients ＞15° or turning radii ＜15m). Meanwhile, each large-size GRC panel is affixed with an RFID chip before leaving the factory, recording the production batch, dimensional parameters and transportation fixing requirements to achieve full traceability. For emergencies, Qinglong is equipped with emergency repair kits (containing epoxy resin adhesives, carbon fibre cloth, portable curing lamps, etc.) to ensure that minor damage can be quickly repaired on site, preventing entire components from being scrapped due to small defects.

From the irregular-shaped GRC curtain wall panels of Canton Tower to the hyperbolic sunshade system of a cultural centre in Nanjing, Qinglong Group has achieved the safe transportation of more than 600,000 square metres of large-size GRC components through "customised fixing solutions + full-process quality control", with the breakage rate controlled below 0.3%. Amid the trend of architectural decoration materials developing towards larger sizes and greater complexity, scientific transportation fixing technology is not only key to ensuring project quality but also a demonstration of a material supplier's comprehensive strength. Qinglong will continue to drive industry progress through technological innovation, providing designers and owners with full-chain solutions from detailed design to after-sales maintenance, and fulfilling its corporate mission of "Creating Beautiful Architecture".