ABSTRACT
Polymer reinforced concrete is gradually becoming popular; due mainly to the damage caused to steel elements by corrosion. But the effect of temperature on polymer reinforced slabs has not been critically looked into. Unreinforced polymer composite materials have been used by the construction industry for many years in non-load bearing applications such as trimmings, kitchenware, vanities and cladding. Recently efforts are being made to include reinforced polymer composites as load bearing materials in the construction industry. Civil or building construction are commonly claimed to also place these materials at a disadvantage when considered against traditional construction materials. However, this paper proposes that as issues of sustainability become increasingly important to material choice, some fibre composite materials could be at an advantage over traditional materials in façade structure.
