LOCAL NEWS | Upcoming Webinar Why Polymeric Materials Matter: Beyond Concrete and Steel

While concrete and steel typically provide a building's primary structure, many of the systems that make it functional, durable, and comfortable rely on polymeric materials. Waterproofing, roofing, air barriers, piping, glazing, coatings, sealants, adhesives, insulation, and flooring all depend on materials that behave very differently from traditional construction materials. Although these products serve diverse functions and may seem unrelated, they share a common foundation in polymer chemistry and exhibit many of the same fundamental behaviors.

In this complimentary one-hour webinar, WJE scientists Sang Kim and Jeff Plumridge will introduce the role of polymeric materials in the built environment and discuss how a fundamental understanding of polymer behavior can improve material selection, condition assessment, failure investigation, and engineering decision-making.

By the end of the webinar, you will be able to:

• Identify common polymeric materials used in the built environment
• Recognize key polymer properties and behaviors that influence material performance and failure
• Analyze material, environmental, design, installation, and service-related factors affecting the performance of polymeric materials
• Apply a systematic approach to inspecting polymer-related failures and gathering relevant information

There will be plenty of time for your questions during the presentation. Attendees are eligible for one American Institute of Architects (AIA) Learning Unit.

DETAILS

Why Polymeric Materials Matter: Beyond Concrete and Steel
Thursday, September 17, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time

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