Research and Practice on the Whole-Process Application of BIM Technology in GRC Engineering Projects

Amid the wave of digital transformation in the contemporary construction industry, BIM technology is reshaping the full-process application logic of new architectural decorative materials such as GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) with its core advantages of visual collaboration and data-driven decision-making. As an industry participant with 28 years of dedicated experience in the UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials field, Qinglong Group deeply understands that BIM technology is not only a tool for improving project efficiency, but also a bridge connecting design creativity with engineering practice, demonstrating irreplaceable value especially in the detailed design, precision production, and safe construction of complex-shaped GRC components.

BIM Drives the Digital Upgrade of GRC Engineering in the Design Phase

Traditional GRC project design often faces pain points such as information gaps in 2D drawings and vague expression of modeling details, and the introduction of BIM technology has fundamentally changed this situation. In a GRC curtain wall project for a grand theater, Qinglong's technical team built a 1:1 3D model based on the BIM platform, transforming the architect's curved-surface concepts into quantifiable parametric design. Through the synergy of Rhino and Grasshopper plugins, modular splitting and numbering of GRC components were achieved, shortening the detailed design cycle from the original 30 days to 15 days, while avoiding the dimensional deviation problems easily encountered in traditional 2D design. Notably, the physical performance parameters of GRC materials embedded in the BIM model (such as flexural strength ≥18MPa and elastic modulus ≥15GPa) provided precise data support for structural engineers' load calculations, ensuring a balance between safety and economy in the final scheme.

Intelligent Manufacturing: BIM Empowers Full-Process Control of GRC Component Production

Entering the production phase, the value of BIM technology further extends to the field of intelligent manufacturing. Qinglong's production base in Nanning, Guangxi, has achieved automated carving of GRC molds through data stream integration between BIM models and CNC processing equipment. In a commercial complex project involving more than 5,000 irregular GRC decorative panels, the team used machining coordinates exported from the BIM model to keep mold fabrication precision within ±2mm, improving efficiency by more than 3 times compared with traditional manual lofting. More crucially, the production progress management module integrated into the BIM model can track the production status of each component in real time, and combined with RFID chip technology to achieve quality traceability, ensuring that products meet the stringent requirements of the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T 423-2018). This digital production model enables Qinglong to maintain a capacity advantage of 600,000 square meters per year when undertaking large projects, while keeping the product defect rate below 0.5%.

Construction, Installation, and O&M: BIM Technology Enhances the Full Lifecycle Value of GRC Engineering

On-site installation of GRC components is a critical link in project delivery, and the application of BIM technology at this stage significantly reduces construction risks. By comparing actual site data obtained through 3D laser scanning with the BIM model, structural deviations can be detected in advance and pre-adjusted. In a landmark project, applying this technology reduced installation positioning errors to ±5mm, far exceeding the industry average. The innovative “BIM+AR” visual installation guidance adopted by Qinglong's construction team overlays information such as component numbers and installation sequences onto the site environment in real time, increasing construction efficiency by 40% and reducing labor costs by 25%. In the after-sales maintenance phase, the BIM model serves as a “digital twin” that records information such as the installation time and maintenance history of each GRC component, providing precise data support for later inspection and repair—a vivid practice of Qinglong's “full-chain service” philosophy in the digital era.

From parametric modeling on the design side to intelligent control on the production side, and then to full-process collaboration in construction and operation & maintenance, BIM technology is profoundly restructuring the way value is created in GRC engineering. As a national high-tech enterprise and a participant in formulating GRC industry standards, Qinglong Group will continue to explore the integrated application of BIM with UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials. Guided by the values of “honesty, striving, trust, and collaboration”, it provides designers with the technical confidence to realize their creativity and creates architectural works for owners that combine aesthetic value with engineering quality, steadily advancing toward the vision of “becoming an outstanding world-leading manufacturer of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP”.