Louai Faisal F. Wafa

This lecture presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in fire-protection technologies for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, with a focus on sustainable and high-performance solutions. As climate change and urban densification continue to shape modern construction, the need for fire-resilient and environmentally responsible building systems has never been more urgent. The lecture examines traditional fire-protection practices and contrasts them with emerging innovations. Emphasis is placed on their thermal performance, structural integrity post-exposure, and long-term durability. Case studies and laboratory findings highlight the effectiveness of these systems under standard and severe fire scenarios. The lecture will present results of research study on assessment of different fire protection systems for RC columns retrofitted with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing.  To quantify how insulation can preserve confinement, three commercial fire-protection schemes were tested on small-scale CFRP- and GFRP-confined concrete cylinders: (i) a thin high-temperature cloth + blanket (DYMAT™-RS/Dymatherm), (ii) an intumescent epoxy-based coating (DCF-D + FireFree 88), and (iii) cementitious mortar (Sikacrete™ 213F, 15 mm and 30 mm). Specimens were exposed either to 60-min soaks at 200 °C and 400 °C or to a 60-min ASTM E119 standard fire; thermocouples recorded interface temperatures, and post-cooling uniaxial compression quantified residual capacity. All systems cut FRP-interface temperatures by up to 150 °C and preserved 65–90 % of the original confinement capacity, versus 40–55 % for unprotected controls. Results provide practical guidance on selecting insulation type and thickness for fire-resilient FRP retrofits.