How to Achieve Detachable Connections for GRC Curtain Walls: Key Design Points, Technical Approaches, and Engineering Applications

As the concept of green building deepens and demand for whole-life-cycle building management grows, demountable connection technology for GRC curtain walls is becoming a key development direction in the architectural decoration field. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in the detailed design, manufacturing, construction and installation, and after-sales maintenance of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group has always driven industry progress through technological innovation. This article systematically analyzes the implementation of demountable connections for GRC curtain walls from three dimensions—design logic, technical paths, and engineering practice—providing designers and owners with professional solutions that combine safety, economy, and sustainability.

I. Core Design Points of Demountable Connections for GRC Curtain Walls: Balancing the Dual Demands of Function and Aesthetics

Demountable connection design must be built on a deep understanding of GRC material properties. GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) offers the advantages of light weight with high strength (weighing only 1/4 of traditional stone) and high freedom of form. Its demountable connection system must meet three core requirements: first, the load-bearing capacity of connection nodes, which must be verified through structural calculations to ensure stability under wind loads and thermal stress; second, ease of assembly and disassembly, avoiding maintenance difficulties caused by complex connection structures; third, decorative coordination, where node design must be consistent with the overall aesthetics of the building, with concealed connections or decorative nodes both serving as preferred options. During the detailed design stage, Qinglong Group commonly uses BIM technology for parametric node modeling, combined with Rhino and Grasshopper software to achieve precise segmentation of complex curved components, ensuring that connection points meet structural safety requirements while facilitating later replacement and maintenance.

II. Technical Path Innovation: Full-Chain Solutions from Material Adaptation to Process Upgrading

The key to achieving demountable connections for GRC curtain walls lies in technological innovation of the connection nodes. Through more than 20 years of engineering practice, Qinglong Group has summarized three core technical paths: first, mechanical connection systems, which combine stainless steel bolts with aluminum alloy connectors and use pre-embedded inserts to achieve flexible connections between components and the main structure; this solution offers strong demountability and is suitable for standardized components. Second, slot-type connections, where specially designed slots at the edges of GRC components work with metal profiles to enable rapid assembly; this technique was successfully applied in the Century Square renovation project on Nanjing East Road, greatly improving construction efficiency. Third, prefabricated assembly systems, where connection nodes and GRC components are integrally precast in the factory, with precise on-site installation achieved through positioning pins and adjustment bolts; this technology has been validated in practice in the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, with installation tolerances controllable within ±2mm.

III. Engineering Application and Value: Putting Sustainable Building Concepts into Practice

The engineering value of demountable connection technology is fully demonstrated in actual projects. Take, for example, a GRC curtain wall project for a commercial complex: after Qinglong Group adopted the demountable connection system, the construction period was shortened by 30%, while factory production of components and rapid on-site assembly were also achieved. During the later maintenance stage, damaged components can be individually replaced through the demountable nodes, avoiding the high costs of complete demolition associated with traditional curtain walls and reducing whole-life-cycle costs by approximately 25%. Moreover, this technology aligns with the “circular economy” concept: after project demolition, GRC components that pass inspection can be reused, complying with national green building evaluation standards. As a member of the International GRC Association and a participant in drafting the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC), Qinglong Group consistently integrates technological innovation with sustainable development, providing replicable and scalable solutions for the industry.

From design development to engineering implementation, the development of demountable connection technology for GRC curtain walls depends on coordinated innovation in materials, processes, and concepts. With the mission of “creating beautiful architecture,” Qinglong Group leverages its R&D strength as a national high-tech enterprise and its full-chain service capabilities to continuously drive application breakthroughs for UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials in the green building field. Looking ahead, as building industrialization and intelligent construction advance further, demountable connection technology will become the core support for GRC curtain walls to achieve “aesthetics, safety, economy, and sustainability,” injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of the architectural decoration industry.