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

With its unique curved aesthetics and structural expressiveness, double-curved GRC curtain walls have become the visual centerpiece of contemporary landmark buildings. However, as operation and maintenance cycles extend after project delivery, the challenges of inspection and repair have gradually emerged. As an industry participant with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group draws on its full-chain service experience—from material properties and structural design to maintenance practice—to analyze the O&M pain points of double-curved GRC curtain walls and the systematic solutions available.

I. O&M Difficulties of Double-Curved GRC Curtain Walls: Multiple Challenges from Materials to Structure

The O&M complexity of double-curved GRC curtain walls stems from their dual attributes of customization and irregular geometry. First, double-curved shapes cause uneven stress distribution in components; under long-term wind pressure and temperature variations, stress concentration can easily occur. Inspection tools designed for conventional flat curtain walls are difficult to adapt to curved surfaces, increasing the difficulty of identifying hidden dangers such as surface cracks and loosened anchors. Second, the inherently porous nature of GRC material places extremely high demands on water tightness. Once sealant ages or the drainage system becomes blocked, internal steel reinforcement corrosion can easily occur. Moreover, the drainage path design of double-curved structures is more complex, and locating leak points often requires dismantling some components, escalating repair costs and schedule pressure. In addition, some projects fail to reserve maintenance access during the detailed design stage, so later O&M must rely on high-altitude work equipment, which is not only inefficient but may also cause secondary damage to GRC surfaces due to improper operation.

II. Systematic Response Strategies from a Full-Chain Perspective

To address the O&M pain points of double-curved GRC curtain walls, Qinglong Group has built a “prevention–monitoring–repair” trinity solution spanning the entire process from design and production to maintenance. At the design stage, BIM technology and parametric modeling are used to simulate structural loads under different working conditions in advance, optimize anchor nodes and drainage slopes, and reserve detachable inspection openings. For example, in a cultural center project in Guangzhou, the Rhino+Grasshopper platform was used to modularly split double-curved GRC components, keeping the weight of each component within 80 kg to facilitate manual disassembly and inspection later. In production, the company strictly implements the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T 423-2018), uses low-alkali cement with better crack resistance and alkali-resistant glass fiber, and embeds RFID chips inside components to record production information and installation positions, providing data support for later traceability.

At the O&M monitoring level, drone inspection and infrared thermal imaging technology are introduced to perform 3D scans of the double-curved curtain wall surfaces, analyzing deformation trends through comparative point cloud data. For concealed works, embedded sensors monitor anchor force and temperature/humidity changes in real time, with data synchronized to a cloud management platform for early warning of anomalies. For repairs, Qinglong relies on its nationwide service network to provide customized GRC repair materials and professional construction teams. For localized cracks, for example, Qinglong's self-developed UHPC repair mortar is used for filling; with a compressive strength exceeding 120 MPa, it ensures that post-repair performance matches the original components.

III. Accumulated Industry Experience: From Project Practice to Standards Co-Development

As a vice-chairman unit of the China GRC Association and a participant in formulating multiple industry standards, Qinglong Group has transformed O&M experience from 2,000+ projects into a standardized service system. For example, in a super high-rise project in Nanning, a maintenance mechanism of “comprehensive inspection every five years + routine annual inspection” was established, with sealant replacement cycles adjusted adaptively to the climate, achieving zero safety incidents for the double-curved GRC curtain wall over a 10-year service period. In addition, Qinglong collaborates with universities on long-term durability research of GRC materials, accumulating O&M data across different regional environments (such as high-humidity coastal areas and severely cold northern regions) to provide customers with full life-cycle technical support.

The O&M and inspection of double-curved GRC curtain walls is, in essence, a comprehensive test of material properties, structural logic, and engineering management. With “full-chain service capability” at its core, Qinglong Group converts O&M difficulties into controllable steps through technological innovation and accumulated experience, not only safeguarding the long-term presentation of architectural aesthetics but also, guided by the philosophy of “prevention first, precise measures,” providing the industry with a replicable O&M paradigm. Looking ahead, as UHPC/GRC composite curtain wall technology develops, Qinglong will continue to explore lighter and easier-to-maintain solutions, driving the deeper application of new architectural decorative materials in the field of sustainable O&M.