OasisLMS

This webinar is jointly sponsored by NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials and the American Concrete Institute (ACI).

This webinar will start with an introduction to polymeric concrete and its classification into polymer concrete (PC), polymer-modified concrete (PMC), and polymer-impregnated concrete (PIC). The webinar will then provide an overview of experimental and numerical research on the thermal, mechanical, and fire performance of PC and PMC materials and beams under elevated temperatures, with comparisons to conventional normal-strength concrete (NSC) beams. Key findings on material degradation will be discussed, including the rapid loss of strength, stiffness, and fire resistance of PC beyond 100°C and the improved thermal stability of PMC, which maintains better performance up to about 600°C. The role of additives such as aluminum trihydrate and basalt fibers in enhancing fire response, mainly for PMC, will also be presented. Finally, the webinar will discuss fire protection strategies, including the need for external fire insulation for PC beams and the use of increased cover thickness, additives, or external fire-proofing insulation to improve the fire resistance of PMC beams toward performance levels comparable to conventional NSC beams.

1. Identify the three main types of polymeric concrete, including polymer concrete (PC), polymer-modified concrete (PMC), and polymer-impregnated concrete (PIC), and explain how they differ based on the type and extent of polymer binder use.
2. Describe the thermal and mechanical behavior of polymer concrete and polymer-modified concrete at elevated temperatures, including the rapid degradation of PC beyond about 100°C and the improved thermal stability of PMC up to about 600°C.
3. Compare the fire resistance of PC, PMC, and normal strength concrete structural members, with emphasis on why PC beams show much lower fire resistance and why PMC beams exhibits marginally by lower fire resistance (as compared to conventional NSC beams).
4. Evaluate practical strategies for improving the fire performance of PC and PMC members, including the use of external fire insulation, increased cover thickness, and proper engineering analysis instead of only prescriptive fire design approaches.

Study the materials included in this module. Then, complete and pass the corresponding 10-question quiz with a score of 80% or higher to receive a certificate for 0.1 CEU (1.0 PDH).
Continuing Education Credit: 0.1 CEU (1.0 PDH)
Approved by AIA and ICC
Access Period: 30 days