NEx Webinar Series (December 3): Development of Guidelines for Polymer Concrete Applications

NEx Webinar Series (December 3): Development of Guidelines for Polymer Concrete Applications

Details:

DATE: December 3, 2026

TIME: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST

Author: Stephem Olayeni & Dr. Pranshoo Solanki

About:

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

Polymer concrete (PC) offers high strength, durability, rapid curing, low permeability, and resistance to chemical attack, which makes it well suited to precast components, bridge overlays, manholes, sewer structures, and industrial floors. State DOTs and precast manufacturers across North America are using it more, but inconsistent standards, fragmented practices, and limited application-specific guidance still hold back its use, especially precast products. This webinar will address research findings in this area including literature review, an analysis of existing specifications, and an industry survey and interviews. Further webinar will summarize the PC guideline’s provisions for exposure-based materials selection, surface preparation, mixing and placement, curing, quality control, and safety. The webinar will close with recommendations for specifiers, manufacturers, and contractors, and future studies to validate provisions and close evidence gaps.

Stephen Olayeni is a Graduate Researcher and Project Management student at Illinois State University. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland, and is completing his M.S. at Illinois State University, USA. Stephen works with Dr. Solanki on the NEx funded project; Development of Guidelines for the Applications of Polymer Concrete. He is a member of ACI Committee 548, Polymer Concrete, and the Project Management Institute. His research interests include standardization of polymer concrete specifications and polymer concrete applications.

Dr. Pranshoo Solanki is a Professor and Coordinator of the Construction Management program at Illinois State University, with more than 15 years of academic and professional experience. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, and his research focuses on sustainable, resilient, and data-driven construction systems integrating innovative materials, geotechnical engineering, and AI. Dr. Solanki has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and secured over $1 million in external funding. Dr. Solanki is a licensed Professional Engineer with extensive industry experience and active service at the university and professional levels, including NSF and NCHRP panels, TRB, ACCE and ACI committees.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify where ACI 548 specifications, state DOT specifications, and municipal specifications agree and where they conflict for polymer concrete.

2. Use the proposed exposure classes to match binder and aggregate requirements to a service environment such as sanitary sewer, bridge deck, or industrial floor.

3. Specify the substrate preparation, mixing, placement, and curing requirements that the guideline sets for polymer concrete overlays and precast components, and explain how resin type and temperature affect each.

4. Select the application-specific provisions for precast manholes, bridge overlays, structural elements, wastewater components, and industrial floors, and explain how each application’s service demands affect material and specification choices.

Credits:

Continuing Education Credit: 0.10 CEU (1.0 PDH)

Approved AIA and ICC

Access Period: 30 days

CEU (PDH) REQUIREMENTS:

To earn CEU (PDH) credit, individuals must purchase the webinar and attend the live webinar for the entire duration (or pass the quiz available after the webinar).

Register: 

NEx Webinar Series (December 3): Development of Guidelines for Polymer Concrete Applications