ACI, TCMA, TSE, and NEx conduct International Workshop on Composites in Construction in Türkiye

12/1/2025

Close to 100 professionals from across the industry met to discuss the application, design, and construction practices of nonmetallic composite materials in the built environment. The American Concrete Institute (ACI), the Turkish Composite Manufacturers Association (TCMA), the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), and NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallics co-hosted an International Workshop on Composites in Construction on November 18, 2025, in Istanbul, Türkiye. The full-day workshop, attended by material manufacturers, engineers, contractors, academics, and regulatory authorities, focused on advancing the understanding and application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in construction, with a particular emphasis on utilizing FRP composites as both internal reinforcement and external strengthening and rehabilitation of concrete structures. The program opened with welcoming remarks from Ömer Karadeniz, chairman of the Turkish Plastics Manufacturers Federation (PLASFED) and Mr. Kemal Darcan, TCMA president, followed by introductions to ACI and NEx by Mr. Ahmad Mhanna, director of the Middle East and North Africa Region at ACI, and Dr. Mahmut Ekenel, Certification and Conformity Assessment Engineer at ACI, respectively.

The workshop was structured into two main sessions, with the morning focused on Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars, covering material properties, production, design considerations, and fire resistance. The afternoon focused on strengthening structural concrete with FRP systems, exploring design requirements, system specifications, substrate conditions, field inspections, testing, and seismic strengthening.

Speakers also included Mr. William J. Gold, senior engineer and fellow at ACI, who shared his more than 30 years of experience in innovative concrete construction materials. Mr. Gold’s session provided a detailed overview of design provisions of ACI CODE-440.13-24: Strengthening Structural Concrete with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Systems, as well as ACI CODE-440.11-22: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars. It also presented several international case studies highlighting the benefits of these materials and systems. Dr. Ekenel delivered an introduction to ASTM D7957, Standard Specification for Solid Round Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, an overview of ACI SPEC-440.5-22: Construction with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcing Bars, as well as introducing ACI SPEC-440.8: Specification for Carbon and Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Materials Made by Wet Layup for External Strengthening of Concrete and Masonry Structures.

Along with the TCMA leadership, additional notable representatives from the Turkish composite industry and standards development organizations (SDOs) were present.

The event confirmed TCMA’s ongoing focus on fostering the use of composites in every aspect of life, while continuing to share information and drive standardization for the benefit of governmental and local authorities. For ACI, the workshop helped meet its vision of a future where its stakeholders have the knowledge and skills necessary to use concrete effectively in a changing world. Advancing expertise, disseminating knowledge, advancing resiliency and sustainability, and engaging globally remain key focal points and components of the ACI Strategic Plan.

And for NEx, which was launched in collaboration between ACI and Aramco, the workshop helped meet its mission of collaborating globally to expand and accelerate the use of nonmetallics in the built environment to drive innovation, research, education, awareness, adoption, and deployment. NEx aims to support and fund projects that positively impact sustainability, durability, and innovation. NEx has successfully sourced and funded more than 60 new projects, valued at over $2 million, in 2022, 2023, and 2024, under its core functions, which include Standards and Guidelines, Research and Development, Technical Advocacy and Awareness, and Professional Development.

Following the workshop, TSE, TCMA, and ACI agreed to strengthen their collaboration on standardization in composites for the construction industry.