GRCA techNOTE | MARCH 2018 2
GRC Standards and
testing
Glassfibre reinforced concrete (GRC or GFRC)
is a composite material consisting of a mortar
of cement and fine aggregate reinforced with This is the second techNOTE in a
alkali-resistant glass fibres. GRC is normally of series of technical notes covering
relatively thin cross-section, typically down to aspects of glassfibre reinforced
12mm thickness depending on application, and as concrete (GRC/GFRC) technology.
such the tests carried out to measure performance
and ensure consistent quality differ from those
of precast concrete. Whereas precast concrete
is usually characterised by compression strength
measured in cube tests, the properties of GRC
are measured by flexural strength testing of thin
samples, where the performance imparted by the
fibre reinforcement is evident.
NEIL SPARROW
DIRECTOR, GRCA
From its inception, the GRC industry has endeavoured to promote a culture of
quality control and routine testing. A series of standards and wet- and dry-
state tests, have been developed and have now been in use for a long period.
One of the most important of these tests is the flexural strength test, also
known as the ‘bending test’ or ‘MOR/LOP test’. This is an essential test
for GRC products which should be carried out at an agreed frequency. The
International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA) recommends
that as a minimum the flexural strength testing shall be carried out weekly
for poured GRC and twice weekly for sprayed GRC, but tests are often carried
out more frequently. These tests are ideally carried out on coupons cut from
the GRC components themselves but where this is not practical it is normally
acceptable on coupons of GRC cut from test boards, using specially developed
test equipment to determine the limit of proportionality (LOP) and modulus of
rupture (MOR) values.
participating companies have shown to
The International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA) has the Association they have the procedures,
produced and issued various technical documents, including the GRCA plant and equipment necessary to comply
‘Specification for the Manufacture, Curing & Testing of Glassfibre Reinforced with the specific Requirements of this
Concrete (GRC) Products’ (1) and GRCA ‘Methods of Testing Glassfibre grade of GRCA membership.
Reinforced Concrete (GRC)’ (2), which are all freely available. Additionally,
the GRCA operates a GRC manufacturing Full Member scheme whereby All GRCA Members have to comply with
the Association’s ‘Specification’ (1) and
‘Methods of Testing’ (2) as a condition
of membership and more recently,
Figure 1 Above: worldwide Standards have been issued
Testing machine. covering the main test methods. These
Figure 2 Left: are summarised below.
Typical load-deflection Current British/European Standards
curves for GRC in relating to GRC:
flexural tests.
• BS EN 1169 (3)
• BS EN 1170 (4)
• BS EN 14649 (5)
• BS EN 15191 (6)
• BS EN 15422 (7)
The International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association
PO Box 1454, NORTHAMPTON, NN2 1DZ. United Kingdom
t: +44 (0) 330 111 (GRCA)
t: +44 (0) 330 111 4722
w:grca.org.uk
e: info@grca.org.uk 1
GRCA techNOTE | MARCH 2018 2
Figure 3 Left: Measurement of
coupon dimensions.
Figure 4 Right: GRC coupon in
4-point test jig.
Concluding remarks:
These standards and test
Current American Standards relating
methods provide the background
to GRC (GFRC),
to specifying GRC products
Produced by the ASTM sub-committee correctly. Guidance on
C27.40 – Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete: specification values can be
found in the GRCA ‘Specification
for the Manufacture, Curing &
• C947-03 (8) • C1228-96 (10) • C1230-96 (12) Testing of Glassfibre Reinforced
Concrete (GRC) Products’ (1) and
• C948-81 (9) • C1229-94 (11) • C1560-03 (13) on test methods in the GRCA
‘Methods of Testing Glassfibre
Reinforced Concrete (GRC)’
The flexural testing of GRC coupons, which relates to the GRCA ‘Methods (2). For sprayed GRC, typical
of Testing Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC)’ (2).and standard BS specification requirements are
EN 1170-5 (4), is illustrated in the photographs. A proprietary testing a characteristic MOR value of 18
machine (Figure 1) may be used, with the sample or coupon of GRC, MPa and characteristic LOP value
typically 50mm wide by 10mm thick and span of 250mm, held in a special of 7 MPa, and for poured GRC,
four-point bending jig (Figure 3). As load is applied, deflection is also typical specification requirements
recorded such that a load-deflection curve of the behaviour is produced. are MOR values of either 10 MPa
or 8 MPA with corresponding
Figure 2 shows the form of the curves for different grades of GRC
LOP values of 6 MPa and 5 MPa
material.
respectively. By long experience
By analysis of the test, normally now assisted by suitable software, these levels have been determined
together with measurement (Figure 4) of the exact dimensions of the to be consistent with good-quality
sample, the elastic limit (Limit of Proportionality or LOP) and ultimate material and manufacture, and in
bending strength (Modulus of Rupture or MOR) are found. Additionally, turn allow design calculations to
Young’s modulus for the initial elastic region of behaviour can be be performed with confidence.
determined and also the strain to failure.
References:
1. THE INTERNATIONAL GLASSFIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION 6. BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 15191. Precast Concrete
(GRCA).‘Specification for the Manufacture, Curing & Testing of Products – Classification of glassfibre reinforced concrete
Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) Products’. GRCA 2017. performance. BSI, 2009.
2. THE INTERNATIONAL GLASSFIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION 7. BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 15422. Precast Concrete
(GRCA). ‘Methods of Testing Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC)’. Products - Specification of glassfibres for reinforcement of mortars
GRCA, 2017. and concretes. BSI, 2008.AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND
3. BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 1169. Precast Concrete Products MATERIALS. ASTM C947-03 (2016). Standard Test Method for Flexural
– General Rules for factory production control of glass-fibre reinforced Properties of Thin-Section Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Using
cement. BSI, 1999. Simple Beam With Third-Point Loading). ASTM, USA, 2016.
4. BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 1170. Precast Concrete Products 8. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS. ASTM C948-81 (2016).
– Test method for glass-fibre reinforced cement Standard Test Method for Dry and Wet Bulk Density, Water Absorption,
Part 1: Measuring the consistency of the matrix. ‘Slump test’ method. and Apparent Porosity of Thin Sections of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced
BSI, 1998. Concrete. ASTM, USA, 2016.
Part 2: Measuring the fibre content in fresh GRC. ‘Wash out test’. BSI, 9. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS. ASTM C1228-96 (2015).
1998. Standard Practice for Preparing Coupons for Flexural and Washout
Part 3: Measuring the fibre content of sprayed GRC. BSI, 1998. Tests on Glass-Fiber- Reinforced Concrete. ASTM, USA, 2015.
Part 4: Measuring bending strength. ‘Simplified bending test’ method. 10. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS. ASTM C1229-94
BSI, 1998. (2015). Standard Test Method for Determination of Glass Fiber Content
Part 5: Measuring bending strength, “complete bending test” method. in Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) (Wash-Out Test). ASTM, USA,
BSI, 1998. 2015.
Part 6: Determination of the absorption of water by immersion and 11. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS, ASTM C1230-96 (2015).
determination of the dry density. BSI, 1998. Standard Test Method for Performing Tension Tests on Glass-Fiber-
Part 7: Measurement of extremes of dimensional variations due to Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) Bonding Pads. ASTM, USA, 2015.
moisture content. BSI, 1998. 12. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS. ASTM C1560-03 (2016).
Part 8: Cyclic weathering type test. BSI, 2008. Standard Test Method for Hot Water Accelerated Aging of Glass-Fiber-
5. BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 14649. Precast Concrete Reinforced Cement-Based Composites. ASTM, USA, 2016.
Products – Test method for strength retention of glass fibres in
cement and concrete (SIC test). BSI, 2005.
The International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association
PO Box 1454, NORTHAMPTON, NN2 1DZ. United Kingdom
t: +44 (0) 330 111 (GRCA)
t: +44 (0) 330 111 4722
w:grca.org.uk
e: info@grca.org.uk 2
