New Research Funded by NEx Advances Fire Performance Knowledge of FRP-Reinforced Concrete Structures

NEx proudly highlights a comprehensive new review that deepens the global understanding of fire performance in concrete structures incorporating fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement.

The peer-reviewed article, Fire Performance of Concrete Structures Incorporating FRP Reinforcement: State-of-the-Art and Knowledge Gaps, was published in Cement and Concrete Composites (Elsevier, August 2025) and supported by NEx.

Authored by V.K.R. Kodur (Michigan State University), M.Z. Naser (University of Miami), and H.S. Kim (Michigan State University), the study provides a critical review of existing knowledge on the behavior of FRP composites at room and elevated temperatures. The article synthesizes decades of fire tests, numerical analyses, and design provisions, offering essential insights into combustibility, thermal, mechanical, and bond properties when FRPs are used as reinforcing or strengthening systems in concrete.

Importantly, the review identifies key knowledge gaps that must be addressed to advance safe adoption of FRP materials in fire-sensitive applications. These include the need for more validated fire test data, development of reliable fire resistance assessment protocols, and integration of rational fire design approaches into building codes and standards.

A major conclusion of the study emphasizes both the promise and the challenges of FRP in construction: while FRPs deliver significant durability and corrosion-resistance benefits, their performance under fire exposure requires further study to ensure structural reliability and safety.

This recognition reaffirms NEx’s leadership in driving research that supports innovation, resilience, and sustainability across the global construction industry.