Analysis of Fabrication Differences Between Single-Curved and Double-Curved GRC Panels: Comparison of Process Characteristics and Technical Difficulties

In the field of modern architectural decoration, GRC materials have become the first choice for many landmark buildings thanks to their outstanding plasticity and durability. Single-curved GRC panels and double-curved GRC panels, as important components of the GRC product system, differ in processing in ways that directly affect the implementation precision of architectural designs and project costs. As an industry leader with 28 years of dedicated expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group will explain the processing secrets of the two types of panels from the perspective of process characteristics and technical difficulties, helping designers and owners create architectural works with greater aesthetic value and technical substance.

1. Single-Curved GRC Panels: High-Efficiency Processes in Standardized Production

The processing of single-curved GRC panels relies on a mature mold system, with its core process characteristics reflected in "standardization" and "mass production". In the production stage, Qinglong Group uses custom steel molds or fiberglass molds and achieves uniform material deposition through an automated spray-up process. The ratio of glass fiber to cement matrix is strictly controlled within the 5%-8% range, ensuring that the flexural strength of the panels stably reaches 15MPa or above. Taking the single-curved exterior wall panels of a commercial complex as an example, parametric design unified the arc radius at 5 meters; combined with assembly-line operations, the output per shift can reach 300 square meters, an efficiency improvement of 40% over traditional manual molding. The technical difficulties of this process mainly lie in mold precision control: 3D scanning technology is required to ensure that mold errors do not exceed ±2mm, and a dedicated release agent is used during demolding to avoid surface defects such as honeycombing and pitting.

2. Double-Curved GRC Panels: Technical Breakthroughs in Customized Production

The processing of double-curved GRC panels highlights the characteristics of "customization" and "precision", posing a dual test of material performance and processing technology. When undertaking a double-curved ceiling project for a grand theater, Qinglong Group used Rhino+Grasshopper parametric modeling to break down the double-curved surface into 286 irregular units, each panel having a minimum radius of curvature of 300mm. The production process innovatively introduced vacuum infusion, raising the uniformity of glass fiber distribution to over 95% and controlling panel thickness error within ±1mm. The core difficulty of this process lies in the accurate reproduction of the double-curved geometry, which requires producing wooden mold prototypes on a five-axis machining center and creating complex joint molds with 3D printing technology. In addition, the curing of double-curved panels requires stepped temperature control to prevent cracking caused by concentrated internal stress, extending the curing cycle by 30% compared with single-curved panels.

3. Comparison of Technical Difficulties and Solutions for the Two Types of Panels

The technical challenge of single-curved GRC panels mainly lies in quality stability during mass production. Qinglong Group introduced an MES production management system to achieve raw material traceability and full monitoring of the production process, raising the product qualification rate to 99.2%. Double-curved GRC panels, on the other hand, face the dual pressure of geometric complexity and installation precision. Relying on its Grade II professional contracting qualification for building curtain wall engineering, the Group developed a "3D laser scanning + BIM pre-assembly" technology, keeping on-site installation errors within 3mm. Taking the translucent concrete project at Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road as an example, the composite application of double-curved GRC and UHPC achieved 0.5mm-level surface flatness while meeting the design requirement of 15% light transmittance, and the project won the Silver Award in the first UHPC Construction Engineering Innovation Award (AALBORG WHITE Cup).

Whether single-curved or double-curved, the difference in GRC panel processing techniques is essentially the art of balancing material characteristics with architectural aesthetics. As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong Group holds 58 patented technologies and a provincial engineering technology center, enabling it to provide customers with full-chain services from detailed design to after-sales maintenance. In the future, with the deep integration of BIM technology and intelligent manufacturing, GRC materials will shine in more landmark buildings, and Qinglong will continue its mission of "creating beautiful architecture", driving technological innovation and broader application of new architectural decoration materials.