Ecological Properties of Glass Fibre Reinforced Materials Based On Architecture of Zaha Hadid

Abstract

Since 1977 – the year of inventing a glass fibre reinforced gypsum – the progressive popularity of materials strengthened with glass fibre is noticed. Light, high strength resistant, manufactured in complex geometries at high tolerances, made from post-consumer recycled material makes it a perfect component of each dream, architectural project. Zaha Hadid was an exceptional author of GFRG and glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) breathtaking objects. Her astonishing Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku (The Republic of Azerbaijan) owes its fluid form to GFR materials. Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) and Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester (GFRP) were chosen as ideal cladding materials, as they allow for the powerful plasticity of the building’s design while responding to very different functional demands related to a variety of situations: plaza, transitional zones and envelope. These panels generate a single curving surface that appears to emerge from the topography. It rises, undulates, and wraps inward at its base to completely envelop the building’s various volumes. Another magnificent project created by Zaha Hadid studio is a King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre - a non-profit institution for independent research into policies that contribute to the most effective use of energy to provide social wellbeing across the globe. Adding an eco-friendly advantage gives this material a full right to be announced a superb brick of the future. Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) contains materials that, taken from the soil, have no adverse effect on the environment. Concrete’s components include Fly Ash, Silica Sand, Portland cement and aggregate. Providing cheaper substitute than concrete and bricks for construction and reducing the duration of overall construction and hence saving labour cost makes it a more and more popular building material in developing countries which suffers from low increase of housing estates. Throughout a thorough scientific research the author tries to confirm this thesis, although some disadvantages of GFRC, such as lateral stiffness have been found. The architecture of Zaha Hadid represents a beauty and complexity of material reinforced with fibre glass, whereas its popularity in impoverished and developing countries such as India makes it a new kind of low-cost building element.