Delamination and Remedial Repair of GFRC Cladding Panels

Krishon, Frederick J.; ,

Delamination and Remedial Repair of GFRC Cladding Panels

by Frederick J. Krishon, Law Engineering Testing Co, Houston, TX, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Application and Performance of Structural Materials and Exterior Facades

Abstract:

The construction of a six story, steel framed office structure included an exterior cladding of prefabricated glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels. The typical full-size panel was approximately seven feet wide and ten feet high. The panels were composed of a sand-cement mortar facing with an exposed sand aggregate finish on a GFRC backing. During the installation of the panels, delamination of the mortar facing from the GFRC backing occurred on many of the panels. A detailed visual inspection and auditory sounding program was used to identify defective panels. After a period of two years of in-service exposure, a second condition survey was performed to assess the condition and identify defective panels. Various methods of panel repair were evaluated including epoxy injection, replacement of defective areas of the mortar facing, and complete replacement of defective panels.

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