Vida Residence Plot 48 Downtown Dubai, UAE

Section 034900
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC)

2nd April 2017

17-80007-MFDB-SPE-001-03

Prepared For: Prepared By:

Al Basti & Muktha LLC Meinhardt Faade Technology

P.O. Box 2393 Gold and Diamond Park, Building 5, Unit 125-126
Dubai, UAE P.O.Box 282478
Dubai, UAE
Wafra Residential Tower @ Lusail, Doha Qatar
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Project No. 17-80007-MFDB

Date Revision Prepared By Checked By Approved By

30th January 2017 00 RP AW

23rd February 2017 01 AW

1st March 2017 02 AW

2nd April 2017 03 EI BB PG

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I- GENERAL .......................................................................................................... 2

1.10 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 2
1.20 RELATED DOCUMENTS .......................................................................................... 2
1.30 SUMMARY............................................................................................................ 2
1.40 SYSTEM TYPE ...................................................................................................... 3
1.50 INTERFACE .......................................................................................................... 3
1.60 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................... 4
1.70 faade CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................. 5
1.80 QUALITY ASSURANCE .......................................................................................... 7
1.90 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING .................................................................. 8
PART 2- PRODUCTS ....................................................................................................... 8
2.10 MATERIALS ......................................................................................................... 8
PART 3- EXECUTION ...................................................................................................... 9

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 1

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

PART I- GENERAL

1.10 INTRODUCTION

Vida Residences has been designed, engineered and documented by NORR Architects and
Engineers. The design was for 58 Floors + Roof, featuring 320 units including one, two, three and
four bedroom services apartments, 238-meter-tall high-rise tower housing serviced apartments
and amenities. The faade cladding was designed as natural stone veneer cladding backed up by
solid concrete walls and interfacing with glazed unitized Curtain wall strips. Between the CW strips
and stone veneer cladding backlit reveals are provided. In several areas the Stone veneer cladding
will interface balcony balustrades.

As a value engineering option, the stone veneer cladding has been replaced by GFRC panels.
However, this option was not designed and not covered by the existing project specification. This
specification only addresses the GFRC cladding and sub framing.

1.20 RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. This Specification shall be read in conjunction with all other related contract documents and in
particular:

1. The Tender Drawings

2. The Contract and Contract Preliminaries
3. The Architectural Drawings; Material Schedules
4. The Bill of Quantity and other contract documents
5. LEED Requirements as given by the LEED consultant

1.30 SUMMARY
A. This Section includes glass fiber reinforced concrete (GRC) panels, consisting of GRC, panel
frames, anchors, and connection hardware.

B. Related Sections include the following:

1. Section 033000 "Cast-in-Place Concrete" for placing connection anchors in concrete.

2. Section 034500 "Architectural Precast Concrete."
3. Section 051200 "Structural Steel Framing" for connection attachment to structural-steel
framing.
4. Section 07920 "Joint Sealants" for elastomeric joint sealants and sealant backings.

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 2

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

1.40 SYSTEM TYPE

The following faade system types are proposed for the project. This section is intended as a
summary only. Further details are provided on all system components in the main body of this
specification and the tender drawings.

FAADE TYPE *) DESCRIPTION

EWS-01 GLAZED, STEEL FRAMED SHOPFRONT
EWS-02 GLAZED, STEEL FRAMED SOUTH ENTRANCE
EWS-03 ALUMINUM FINS WITH MASHRABIYA SCREENS
EWS-04 GFRC RAINSCREEN
EWS-05 SOUTH ENTRANCE CANOPY
EWS-06 NORTH ENTRANCE CANOPY
EWS-07 GLAZED, ALUMINUM FRAMED, UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM
EWS-08 GLAZED, ALUMINUM FRAMED, UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM AT
CROWN
EWS-09 GLAZED, ALUMINUM FRAMED, STICK CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM
EWS-10 VERTICAL GLASS LOUVERS
EWS-11 ALUMINUM FINS
EWS-12 GLAZED BALUSTRADE
EWS-13 GLAZED BALCONY SCREEN
EWS-14 SOUTH ENTRANCE GLASS BOX

*): refer to drawings.

NOTE: Only the Glass Fibre Reinforced concrete located at any Faade Type is covered
in this Package.

1.50 INTERFACE

The faade contractor is required to make provision for interfacing and co-ordinating with other
trades, services and systems on site being carried out under separate contracts. The following are
a list detailing the trades that are to be considered. The scope of interfacing required by the faade
contractor shall not be limited by this list.
Primary and secondary structures (reinforced concrete and steel)
All building Mechanical and Electrical systems (HVAC, Hydraulic, LV, ELV, Faade
Lighting and Signage-including video/LED screens, PA, IT Systems, Communication
systems, Security systems, BMS)
Internal partitions, balustrades and wall finishes
Internal floor finishes including raised floors
Internal suspended ceilings and other ceiling finishes
Building Maintenance Units (BMU)
All integrated, non-integrated, illuminated and non-illuminated signage and other
information display systems.
External paving and landscaping
All roofing and weather proofing works

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 3

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Faade works undertaken by other contractors (if applicable)

1.60 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

A. Panels formed in GRC shall achieve the shape and profiles as indicated on the drawings and cad
models.
B. The colour, texture and finish shall be as indicated on the drawings and match those of the
sample prepared by the Contractor and approved by the Employers Representative, architect
and Faade Consultant.
C. The finished units shall be free from surface imperfections such as below holes, voids and ridges
which are visible when inspected from a distance of 3 metres.
D. The finished units shall comply to the following aesthetical specifications with regard to the
surface quality and tolerances of panel alignment:

Mold (cast):
Panel seams: 1 mm
Element seams: 1 mm
Surface finish: As per contractor proposal to achieve the
architectural design intent
Edge/corner finish: As per contractor proposal to achieve the
architectural design intent
Burrs: 1 mm
Local deflections: 1 mm / 400 mm
Local deviations: 1 mm / 400 mm
Smoothness/flatness: 2 mm / 2000 mm

Concrete panel (GRC):

Color tolerances: matching with sample (see B)
Stains: not acceptable
Stripes: not acceptable
Porosity / air bubbles: not visible from a distance of 3 meters
and 20 mm2/dm2 locally
and 300 mm2/m2 in total
Visible gravel/particles: not acceptable
Filling of edges: 100 % (no chips acceptable)
Visibility of mold/cast seams: not acceptable
Visibility of surface repairs: not acceptable
(same colour/texture as surrounding concrete)
Width of surface cracks: 0.05 mm
Variation in panel seams: 20 %

E. Any dirt and stains appearing on the exposed outside surface of the units shall be cleaned. To
facilitate this, the surface may be given a water repellent treatment, subject to the consent of the
Employers Representative, architect and Faade Consultant.
F. The GRC material shall have the following properties when tested under BS 6432.
Spray-up (grade 18 or 18P) is the only mix permitted to be used
Average Limit of Proportionality (LOP) of 4 consecutive test samples: 8.0N/mm2
Minimum Limit of Proportionality (LOP) of individual test sample: 6.0N/mm2
Average Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of 4 consecutive test samples: 21.0N/mm2

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 4

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Minimum Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of individual test sample: 15.0N/mm2

Dry bulk density : not less than 1,800 kg/m3
Wet bulk density : not less than 2,000 kg/m3
Mould accuracy: dimensions of completed panels have to be within the permissible
deviations given in BS 8297, table 11
Accuracy of moulds: Check overall dimensions, straightness, squareness, twist and
flatness of moulds immediately before each reuse, and of each unit as soon as
possible after demoulding. Make adjustments to mould as necessary.
Material: Cleats, plates, brackets, anchors, cast in channels, are all from austenitic
stainless steel, grade 1.4401 (316).
Bolts/threaded rods grade A4 class 70 austenitic stainless steel
No max and min sand content on Mix Design
Thermal insulation has to be in accordance with VIDA specification Section 07 21
00
Vapor barrier has to be in accordance with VIDA specification Section 07 14 00
No proper specifications for pigmentation to be used as per agreed VE
Bracket fixings/framings shall accommodate all building movement and tolerances.
GFRC strand has to be not less than 12mm of nominal length

1.70 FAADE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The faade contractors work shall include but not necessarily be limited to the following:

A. Product Data: For each type of product indicated. Include GRC design mixes.
B. Product Solar Reflectance: Provide SR value certificate
C. Shop Drawings: Show fabrication and installation details for GRC panels, including the following:

1. Structural analysis data signed and sealed by the qualified professional engineer
responsible for their preparation.
2. Panel elevations, sections, and dimensions.
3. Casting sides
4. Thickness of facing mix, GRC backing, and bonding pads for typical panels.
5. Finishes.
6. Joint and connection details.
7. Erection details.
8. Panel frame details for typical panels, including sizes, spacings, thicknesses, and yield
strengths of various members.
9. Locations and details of connection hardware attached to structure.
10. Size, location, and details of flex, gravity, and seismic anchors for typical panels.
11. Other items sprayed into panels.
12. Erection/montage sequence for special conditions.
Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 5

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

13. Relationship to adjacent materials.

14. Descriptions of loose, cast-in, and field hardware.
D. Samples: Design reference samples for initial verification of design intent, approximately 24 by
24 inches (600 by 600 mm) and of actual thickness, representative of finishes, color, and textures
of exposed surfaces.
E. Submission to and compliance with all Regulatory Authority requirements.
F. All provided materials to comply with LEED Consultants requirements.
G. Submission of documents, include technical data, test report and samples in accordance with
the specifications.
H. Construction of faade prototypes for viewing by the Employer, Employers Representative,
Architect and Faade Consultants.
I. Testing of Faade prototypes to validate the design and the performance parameters as stated
in this documents.
J. Design, fabrication, assembling, site surveying and installation of GFRC faade panels including
all required insulation, weather seals, flashing, fixings, safety rails, grilles, blanked off panels,
bird screens, cleats, components to prevent galvanic action, and all accessories.
K. All face panels, parapet cappings, parapet backing panels, including flashings and vapour
retardants, internal and external trims associated with the faades.
L. All fire-saving materials, smoke seals, sound and thermal insulation; vapour retardant panels
shall be used throughout. Fixings, anchorages and associated seals shall be included.
M. All cast-in anchors, cast-in plates and other cast-in items associated with the faade shall be
designed, supplied and installed by the faade contractor. The faade contractor shall be
responsible for shop drawings, supply and surveying all cast-in items. Interior partition closures,
tapes and foam shall be supplied and installed by the Main contractor.
N. All secondary structures required to support the facade, whether shown or not on drawings shall
be designed, supplied and installed by the facade sub-contractor, this includes the runner beams
and Brackets required at the roof structure.
O. Stainless steel BMU socket restraints and three-ball (minimum) plungers, supplied by the Main
contractor, shall be installed by the Faade contractor. BMU socket restraints will also be required
for testing in the Performance Prototype Assemblies. Separate tieback tests may be considered.
P. Preparation of as-built drawings.
Q. Preparation of Faade Maintenance Manual in accordance with this specification.
R. Co-ordination with the Structural / Mechanical & Electrical Engineer to ensure compatibility
between the exterior wall and the building structure and equipment.
S. Co-ordination with the Employers Representative, Architect, Consultants, Project Management
team and Main contractors to ensure that the project run smoothly.
T. The cost incurred by the Consultants inspecting faade contractor facilities and material or
attending any tests will be whole born by the faade contractor, including all associated costs.
Provide a necessary factory visit to major material factory, including proposed fabrication
plant and proposed quarry for a maximum of 2 visits. The inspection shall be carried out
prior to the approval of the sample submission and selection (or prior to production) and
during production.
In the event that supplier (GRFC) is rejected, the additional trips will be required and the
costs shall be borne by the contractor.
In the event that there is technical or schedule problem, additional trips might be required
and the costs shall be borne by contractors.

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 6

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Allowance should be made for a maximum of four (4) representatives of the Employer,
Employers Representative and Faade Consultant. Costs include round-trip flights
(economy class for flights less than 3 hours, business class if longer), accommodations,
sustenance and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
U. Full compliance with DM Green Building Requirements.
V. Compliance with all DCD fire requirements, including but not limited to, obtaining approval for
GFRC faade report
W. Ensure full interface/ coordinate with all other faade elements to have a fully sealed building
envelope and other trades as per original design intent (i.e. no thermal bridges, verification of
acoustical properties, water tightness, rainwater risers, faade lighting, restraint sockets, etc.)

1.80 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Manufacturer Qualifications: A qualified manufacturer that participates in PCI's Plant Certification

Program and is designated a PCI-Certified Plant for Group G, Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete.

1. Manufacturer's responsibility includes fabricating [and installing] GRC panels and providing
professional engineering services needed to assume engineering responsibility for GRC
panels.
2. Engineering responsibility includes preparation of Shop Drawings and comprehensive
engineering analysis, based on GRC production test values, by a qualified professional
engineer experienced in GRC design.

B. Certification shall be maintained throughout the production of the glass fiber reinforced concrete
units. Production shall immediately stop if at any time the fabricators certification is revoked,
regardless of the status of completion of contracted work. Production will not be allowed to re-
start until the necessary corrections are made and certification has been re-established. In the
event certification(s) can not be re-established in a timely manner, causing project delays, the
fabricator, at no additional cost, will contract out the remainder of the units to be manufactured at
a PCI certified plant.

C. Steel Sheet Certifications: Obtain mill certificates, signed by manufacturers of steel sheet or test
reports from a qualified testing agency indicating steel sheet used in cold-formed metal panel
framing complies with requirements, including uncoated steel thickness, yield strength, tensile
strength, total elongation, chemical requirements, and galvanized-coating thickness.
D. Mill Certificates: Obtain certified mill test report from manufacturer of structural-steel shapes and
hollow structural sections used in panel framing indicating compliance of these products with
requirements.

E. Welding Qualifications: Qualify procedures and personnel according to AWS D1.1/Dl.lM,

"Structural Welding Code--Steel," and AWS D1.3, "Structural Welding Code--Sheet Steel."

F. PCI Manuals: Comply with requirements and recommendations in the following PCI manuals,
unless more stringent requirements are indicated:
1. PCI MNL 128, "Recommended Practice for Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Panels.
Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 7

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

2. PCI MNL 130, "Manual for Quality Control for Plants and Production of Glass Fiber Reinforced
Concrete Products."
G. Mock-ups: (As per Architects Requirement and approval)

1.90 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. Handle and transport GRC panels to avoid damage.

1. Place nonstaining resilient spacers between panels.
2. Support panels on nonstaining material during shipment.
3. Protect panels from dirt and damage during handling and transport.
B. Store GRC panels to protect from contact with soil, staining, and physical damage.
1. Store panels with nonstaining resilient supports in same positions as when transported.
2. Store panels on firm, level, and smooth surfaces.
3. Place stored panels so identification marks are clearly visible.

PART 2- PRODUCTS

2.10 MATERIALS

A. GRC - Cement
1. Cement shall be ordinary Portland cement to BS 12 or BS 6588 and shall be obtained
from one source.
2. Low hydroxide cements can be used to provide improved long term strength. Any cement
of this type requires age testing validation, together with strength and durability testing
validation from the manufacturer to International Standards. Quality control, mix design
and application procedures are to be provided by the supplier and submitted for
acceptance.
3. Cement shall be correctly stored and kept dry to avoid deterioration

B. GRC - Glass fibre

1. The glass fibre shall be alkaline-resistant quality and have a strand-in-cement value of
over 330MPa after 96 hours in water at 80C as specified in GRC Association publication
Method of test for strength retention of glass fibre in cements and mortars.
2. Approved glass fibre includes Cem-Fil by Saint Gobain/Vetrotex and NEG ARG Fibre by
Nippon Electric Glass

C. GRC - Aggregate
1. The aggregate shall be suitable graded silica sand, limestone, granite or other stable fine
material which is hard, durable and clean. It shall not contain deleterious materials in
such a form or in sufficient quantity to affect adversely the strength or durability of the
GRC.
2. The aggregate shall comply with the following requirements:
3. Silica Content > 96%
4. Moisture Content < 2%
5. Soluble Salts < 1%
6. Loss On Ignition < 0.5%
7. Sulphate Ion < 4,000ppm

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 8

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

8. Chloride Ion < 600ppm

D. GRC - Water: The water shall be clean (potable water quality) and free form harmful matter in
such quantities as would affect the properties of GRC.

E. GRC - Admixtures: Where admixtures are proposed to be used, the suppliers recommendations
and instructions shall be followed.

F. GRC - Acrylic thermoplastic polymer: The acrylic polymer dispersion shall be used in accordance
with the manufacturers instructions and should conform to the following:
1. Compound Type: Aqueous thermoplastic polymer dispersion
2. Polymer acrylic based
3. % Solids 45 55%
4. Appearance Milky white
5. Film formation Temperature 7 to 12C

G. GRC - Mix-design: The mix-design of GRC shall be proposed by the manufacturer and consented
to by the SC. The proportions shall be chosen to achieve the performance outlined in this
specification.

H. GRC - Mould Release Agent: The use of mould release agent will be permitted provided it is
compatible with the mould lining material and the finish required.

I. GRC - Fixings: The fixings inside GRC shall be stainless steel grade 1.4401 (316).

PART 3- EXECUTION

A. For premix GRC: Mixing of the GRC mortar shall be carried out by a high speed mixer to a
consistent mix. Glass-fibre shall then be blended into their mortar paste using low speed mixing.
Total mixing time after addition of glass fibre shall not be long enough to cause damage to the
glass-fibre. The GRC shall be vibration cast in moulds using suitable vibrators. The energy input
of the vibration equipment shall be adequate to achieve thorough compaction without causing
segregation of the fibre and slurry.
B. For hand spray GRC: Mixing of the GRC mortar shall be carried out by a high-speed mixer to a
consistent mix. The mortar shall then be transported and pumped to a spray gun which chops the
glass-fibre and deposits both the mortar and the chopped glass-fibre onto moulds. Rollers shall
be used to properly compact the GRC mixture. A succession of layers shall be sprayed to
achieve the required thickness.
C. Trowelling of the material shall be carried out in the green state.
D. The construction tolerance of GRC units shall be in accordance with Recommended Practice for
Glass-fibre Reinforced Concrete Panels published by Precast/Pre-stressed Concrete Institute.
E. Units shall only be demoulded after the GRC has attained a Characteristic Modulus of Rupture
(MOR) of 2.0MPa, using demoulding sockets cast into the GRC. On demoulding the panel shall
be supported uniformly to avoid overstressing of the GRC material.
F. Surface treatment of the panels, if required, shall be applied in accordance with the Suppliers
recommendations after demoulding.
G. Panels shall be handled, stored and transported in a manner to avoid damage or marking to the
exposed outside surface and to avoid overstressing.
H. Panels shall be marked individually to indicate the type, serial number and date of manufacture.

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 9

Dated 2nd April 2017

Vida Residence Plot 49, Downtown Dubai
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete

I. Making good of the exposed outside surface shall only be permitted subject to the consent of the
Employers Representative or Faade Consultant. Any such making good shall provide a long-
lasting effect without deterioration.
J. At least one test board shall be prepared for each shift. Each test board shall be cured in a
similar manner with the panels for subsequent testing in accordance with BS 6432.
K. Provide a complete numbering system and schedule for all cladding panel units. Each panel shall
be individually numbered in such a way that the manufactured history can be traced. Provide an
approved permanent concealed marking system. Submit details.
L. Identify the location of each individual panel on shop drawings and "as-built" drawings.
M. Before the panels are delivered to the Site, provide suitable marks or identification for each panel
for showing its correct location and orientation when installed.
N. Identification labels on GRC shall be made on a non-marking adhesive tape fixed to the GRC. No
tape shall be put onto the visible side of a GRC panel.
O. The design of all components in this contract shall be such that their configuration shall facilitate
the self-cleaning of the GRC cladding. Inclined drainage surfaces and flashings, properly
designed drip grooves and self-cleaning joint design are examples of this requirement.
P. The design of the components, selection and application of finishes, and installation procedures
shall ensure a high standard of finish protection during construction. Develop and implement
procedures to eliminate scratches, marks and blemishes to finished surfaces. Indicate procedures
on shop drawings and in the installation procedures.
Q. Design and install the GRC cladding system to allow for the future replacement of any individual
panel. Submit details and procedures for replacing individual damaged items.

END OF SECTION 034900

Project. No. 17-80007MFDB Page 10

Dated 2nd April 2017

Meinhardt Faade Technology
PO Box: 282478
Gold & Diamond Park

Building 5, Unit 125-126

Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai, UAE

Office: +971 4 380 9422

Fax: +971 4 323 7592

www.meinhardtgroup.com I www.mfaade.com