4.

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4.7
4.8
4.9
4.6 PIGMENTS AS 3885 and AS 3750.9. This steel should be
galvanised in accordance with AS 1650. Gauge and
Oxide pigments may be used to provide integral colour to
size of studs, tubes and frames should be shown on the
the GRC. In the absence of a recent Australian Standard,
approved shop drawings.
refer to BS 1014.
Structural steel tubes should conform to AS 1163.
Dosage rate is expressed as a percentage of the cement
Member size should be shown on the approved shop
content of the mix by weight. Organic and synthetic
drawings. All welding should be to AS 1554.1.
oxides are available, the latter being considered superior
in terms of their colour fastness and intensity.
Note the impact (generally a dulling effect) of the cement 4.9 ANCHORS AND INSERTS
upon the oxide colour. Different brands of grey cement
have differing shades of grey and this must be taken into Steel bars for anchors should conform to the appropriate
consideration. Where light or pastel colours as required, requirements of AS 3679. Yield strength should conform
white or off-white cement should be used. with design minimum and maximum steel yield strengths.

Dosage rates should be accurately monitored.
4.7 FACING MATERIALS
Where fine and coarse aggregates are used for exposed
finishes on the face of GRC panels, they should be clean,
hard, strong, durable and inert, and free of material
which may cause staining.
Aggregates should conform to AS 2758.1 except for
gradation which can deviate to achieve the texture
mutually agreed to by the client and panel manufacturer.
Aggregates should be non-reactive with cement and
available in particle shapes required for good GRC. The
method used to expose the aggregate in the finished
product may influence the final appearance. Weathering
of certain aggregates may influence their appearance
over time.
Veneers such as natural stone, thin brick, ceramic tile
or terracotta may also be used as facing materials.
Compatibility of the facing material to the backing should
be considered when developing mix designs. A bond
breaker with flexible mechanical anchors may be used
with natural stone facings to minimise differential
movement which may otherwise induce panel bowing
and/or high stresses in the GRC skin.
4.8 PANEL FRAME
The panel frame for a GRC panel may be fabricated from
light-gauge steel and/or structural steel sections. Light-
gauge steel materials should be either painted or
galvanised to inhibit corrosion. Hot dip galvanising of the
frame after fabrication is not recommended due to
problems associated with distortion during galvanising.
Corrosion protection treatment should be specified by the
designer in the light of the in-service conditions likely to
be experienced.
Painted light-gauge steel should conform to AS 1538
Cold Formed Steel Structures Code and should be prime-
painted with a rust-inhibiting paint conforming to
Anchors incorporated in the GRC skin should be
corrosion resistant. Materials should conform as follows.
For materials which are:
■ galvanised AS/NZS 4534:1998 Hot Dipped
Galvanised Coatings on Ferrous
Articles
■ zinc plated AS 1789:2003 Electroplated
Coatings – Zinc on Iron and Steel
Inserts should be compatible with or isolated from the
other materials with which they will come in contact in
order to avoid unwanted chemical or electrochemical
reactions.
Dissimilar metals should not be placed in contact with
each other unless experience has shown that no
detrimental galvanic action will occur. Hardware
protected with paint, galvanising or plating should be
made good if the coating is damaged. If welding is
required as part of the field assembly, the welded area
should be cleaned and made good with a zinc-rich
primer.
Ductile materials should be used.
The allowable load on an insert moulded into the GRC
skin should be determined by the results of controlled
tests duplicating the loading condition in which the insert
is used. Many inserts used in GRC panels have been
designed and tested by the insert manufacturer for use in
precast or cast-in-place concrete. Inserts for use in GRC
require aged testing to determine their suitability.

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