What Are the Transportation Fixing Methods for Large-Size GRC Panels? Analysis of Key Points for Safe Transport

In the field of architectural decoration, GRC materials, with their lightweight high-strength properties and rich shaping capabilities, are widely used for exterior wall cladding panels and decorative components in high-end projects such as grand theaters, commercial complexes, and landmark buildings. Among them, large-size GRC panels, due to their large single-panel area and high installation efficiency, have become an important choice for modern building envelope design. However, such components are prone to cracking or surface damage during transportation due to vibration and compression, directly affecting project quality and cost. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group will share professional transportation solutions for large-size GRC panels from two aspects: transportation fixing technology and safety management.

### I. Core Fixing Methods for Transporting Large-Size GRC Panels

Transportation fixing of large-size GRC panels (usually referring to components longer than 3 meters and with an area greater than 5㎡) must balance stability and shock absorption. Common methods include the following three types:

**1. Vertical Frame Fixing Method** Suitable for flat or slightly curved GRC panels, this method vertically fixes components using custom steel frames, with EVA cushioning pads laid inside the frames to prevent scratches on panel surfaces. The “double diagonal brace reinforcement structure” adopted at Qinglong's Nanning production base can control the lateral displacement of components during transportation to within 3mm, and this technology has been certified under the Technical Standard for Architectural Application of Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018). Universal wheels are installed at the bottom of the frames to facilitate fine angle adjustment during loading and unloading, reducing manual handling risks.

**2. Horizontal Layered Fixing Method** For special-shaped curved or openwork GRC components, multi-layer wooden pallets are stacked horizontally, separated by high-density foam boards between layers, and rigidly fixed on all sides to the transport vehicle chassis with steel straps. Qinglong's original “honeycomb cushioning matrix” design can disperse single-point impact forces across the entire panel surface; tests have shown it can withstand tilting impacts of ±15° during transportation, ensuring that delicate structures such as carvings and reliefs remain intact. This method was successfully applied in the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation project, achieving zero-damage transportation of light-transmitting GRC components.

**3. Modular Cage Frame Transportation System** For extra-large GRC components (such as curtain wall units over 6 meters high), Qinglong uses modular steel cage frames combined with hydraulic lifting devices to achieve integral hoisting and fixing of components. The cage frames are equipped with built-in smart sensors that monitor vibration frequency and acceleration in real time during transportation, automatically triggering alarms when thresholds are exceeded. This system ensured the safe transnational transportation of GRC decorative panels weighing up to 2.5 tons each in the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers expansion project in Malaysia. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123

### II. Key Control Points for Safe Transportation of Large-Size GRC Panels

Transportation safety depends not only on fixing methods but also on refined management throughout the entire process. Based on experience from 2,000+ projects, Qinglong has summarized the following key points:

**1. Component Pre-Treatment Before Transportation** All GRC panels must undergo “three-protection” treatment before leaving the factory: PE protective film covering surfaces to prevent scratches, PVC corner guards installed on edges to prevent collisions, and strain gauges attached to key load-bearing points to record stress changes during transportation. Meanwhile, in accordance with the requirements of the General Technical Conditions for Non-Load-Bearing Components of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), each panel is tested for flexural strength (≥20MPa) and elastic modulus to ensure that component performance meets standards.

**2. Transportation Vehicle and Route Planning** Special vehicles equipped with air suspension systems are preferred to reduce the impact of road bumps on components. Transportation routes must avoid sharp turns, steep slopes, and sections with poor road conditions. Qinglong's logistics team optimizes routes in real time through GIS systems; for example, in the Riyadh Airport project in Saudi Arabia, transportation time was shortened from the originally planned 12 hours to 8 hours, reducing in-transit risks for components.

**3. Loading/Unloading and Fixing Operation Standards** Dedicated lifting tools must be used during loading and unloading, with lifting point positions set strictly according to detailed design drawings to avoid component deformation caused by single-point loading. When fixing, straps are tightened using the “diagonal crisscross method” to ensure uniform preload at each fixing point (the standard value set for Qinglong's custom torque wrenches is 50N·m). In addition, fixing conditions must be checked every 2 hours during transportation, and vehicles should stop at the nearest safe location to take shelter in extreme weather.

**4. Emergency Plans and After-Sales Guarantee** Qinglong has established a nationwide emergency response mechanism with spare parts warehouses in 28 cities, enabling rapid handling of transportation damage issues. For overseas projects, Qinglong cooperates with local insurance companies in advance to purchase “full-process transportation insurance” and provides a 24-hour technical support hotline to ensure timely problem resolution. This dual guarantee system of “prevention + response” keeps the transportation damage rate of Qinglong GRC components below 0.3%, far lower than the industry average. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123

### III. Industry Experience and Technology Innovation Trends

As building envelope design becomes more complex, transportation technology for large-size GRC panels is developing toward intelligence and customization. As a key participant in the revision of the Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement (GRC) Decorative Products (JC/T940-2022) standard, Qinglong is developing a “BIM + IoT” transportation management system that simulates stress conditions during transportation through 3D models and achieves full life-cycle traceability of components with RFID chips. In the future, with the application of UHPC and GRC composite panels, lightweight high-strength materials will further reduce transportation difficulty, providing new solutions for the safe delivery of extra-large architectural decorative components.

As a national “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” enterprise, Qinglong consistently applies the philosophy of “meticulousness and excellence” throughout the entire product life cycle, safeguarding project quality with professional technology at every stage from detailed design to transportation and installation. Whether for domestic landmark buildings or large overseas projects, Qinglong, with 28 years of industry expertise, provides customers with “one-stop” services from material selection to after-sales maintenance, helping create safe, beautiful, and durable architectural works.