Difficulties and Coping Strategies in the Operation, Maintenance and Inspection of Double-Curved GRC Curtain Walls

The interweaving of architectural aesthetics and technology has made double-curved GRC curtain walls the "artistic cloak" of modern landmark buildings. However, as these flowing curves endure the tests of wind and rain over time, the challenges of operation, maintenance, and inspection gradually emerge. As an industry player with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group knows well that the maintenance of double-curved GRC curtain walls is not only a technical issue, but also a test of full-chain service capabilities.

**Three Core Challenges in the Operation and Maintenance of Double-Curved GRC Curtain Walls**

Double-curved GRC curtain walls are widely used in high-end buildings such as grand theaters and convention centers, thanks to their advantages of light weight, high strength, and high design freedom. However, the complexity of inspection brought by the curved forms poses severe challenges to traditional maintenance methods. First, irregular structures make it difficult for conventional inspection equipment to adapt—for example, the narrow spaces between curved panels limit the operating range of robotic arms, while manual climbing involves the risks of working at heights. Second, the special load-bearing characteristics of double-curved forms multiply the difficulty of damage detection; a single-point crack may trigger cascading structural problems, while traditional visual inspection or localized testing can hardly provide a comprehensive assessment. Finally, the requirements for material matching are stringent: the customized production characteristics of double-curved GRC components mean that repairs must precisely replicate the original surface curvature and texture, and ordinary suppliers can hardly meet the technical requirements of "seamless repair."

**Systematic Response Strategies from a Full-Chain Perspective**

Facing these challenges, Qinglong Group has built a trinity solution of "prevention–detection–repair" by leveraging its full-chain experience in detailed design, manufacturing, construction and installation, and after-sales maintenance. In the prevention stage, digital modeling of double-curved GRC curtain walls is carried out using BIM technology to simulate in advance the stress distribution under different working conditions and to optimize anchor node design, reducing later maintenance pressure at the source. For example, in a cultural center project, parametric design kept the installation error of double-curved panels within ±2mm, laying a solid foundation for later inspection and repair.

In the detection stage, 3D laser scanning and drone inspection technologies are introduced to generate point cloud data of the curtain wall surface, combined with AI algorithms to identify minor deformations and cracks. For concealed areas of double-curved structures, endoscopes and infrared thermal imaging technologies are employed to achieve contactless detection of internal defects. This "air–ground–interior" three-dimensional detection system improves efficiency by 300% compared with traditional methods and can cover more than 95% of key areas.

In the repair stage, supported by the annual production capacity of 600,000 square meters at Qinglong's Guangxi production base, double-curved GRC replacement components matching the original ones in curvature, strength, and appearance can be quickly customized. Through modular installation processes, the repair period is shortened to one-third of the traditional approach, while specialized repair materials ensure the continuity of mechanical properties between new and old components. Notably, the Technical Standard for Building Applications of Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018), which Qinglong participated in formulating, provides the industry with technical specifications for the maintenance of double-curved curtain walls.

**The Value Leap from Material Supplier to Solution Partner**

The operation, maintenance, and inspection of double-curved GRC curtain walls are, in essence, a comprehensive test of material performance, structural design, and engineering management. As a National High-Tech Enterprise and a "Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative" enterprise, Qinglong Group has always taken "creating beautiful architecture" as its mission, transforming 28 years of technical expertise into customer value. Whether in the maintenance of double-curved GRC curtain walls for a landmark project in Malaysia or the emergency repairs of large domestic convention centers, Qinglong has leveraged its full-chain service capabilities to upgrade its role from "material supplier" to "lifelong maintenance partner." In the future, as new materials such as UHPC/GRC are widely applied in complex buildings, only enterprises with integrated capabilities in design, production, construction, and maintenance can truly solve the operation and maintenance challenges of curved buildings, allowing art and safety to coexist harmoniously through time.