Webinars Under the auspices of ACI Kuwait Chapter’s Past President and Chairperson of the Technical Committee. Dr. Moetaz El Hawary, a series of interesting webinars were organized over the period January 2021 to February 2022. These constituted a part of ACI-KC’s Talks Webinars Program.

Durability: How We Measure It? Date: Tuesday, 19th January, 2021.
Presenter: Ms. Katie Amelio, PE, Professional Development Program Engineer, American Concrete Institute.
Moderator: Dr. Moetaz El-Hawary, ACI-KC Vice President (2020 - 2021), Chairperson of Technical Committee.

This well attended webinar was graced by the President of ACI, Mr. Jeffrey Coleman, who commenced the proceedings with a brief welcome address. In summary, Ms. Amelio’s presentation covered the following key aspects:
•  How to define durability?
•  Where to find durability requirements and guidance?
•  Commonly used durability tests for freeze-thaw and alkali-aggregate reactivity.

In addition to about 30 attendees in Kuwait, the webinar also attracted an audience from other countries. This was a very informative session that provided valuable knowledge about concrete durability, which is a major problem in Kuwait’s hot weather. The interesting presentation ended with a random raffle draw in which one of ACI-KC’s attendees was given the opportunity to win one of three prizes worth about $800.

Assessment of Concrete Structures Using Infrared Thermography Date: Tuesday, 23rd February, 2021.
Presenter: Dr. Zafer Sakka, Ph.D. Scientific Researcher, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR), Board Member of ACI-Kuwait Chapter.

Dr. Sakka is a researcher in KISR’s Sustainability and Reliability of Infrastructure, Energy and Building Research Center.

The webinar was arranged with the collaboration of KISR. Over 45 people attended his lecture on using infrared thermography for assessing concrete structures. Restoring damaged reinforced concrete structures is often more economical than building new ones.

Accordingly, many reinforced concrete structures, such as bridges, buildings and tunnels, require periodic assessment through some nondestructive testing (NDT) methods. Infrared thermography, IRT, is a modern non-contact NDT method with wide applications in many fields. In his presentation, Dr.Sakka demonstrated various opportunities for using this technology in the construction industry, and its use in detecting subsurface anomalies that may exist in concrete structures.

Introduction to the Main Updates to ACI 318 – 2019 Date: Tuesday, 30th March, 2021.
Presenter: Dr. Khaldoun N. Rahal, Ph.D., Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Kuwait University. President of ACI-Kuwait Chapter.

The 2019 edition of the ACI 318 Building Code introduced numerous changes to the provisions on various subjects pertaining to high-strength reinforcement.

These include: shear design of slabs and beams; strength reduction factors; hanger reinforcement for beams; structural integrity reinforcement for one-way slabs; analysis and reinforcement of two-way slabs; in-plane shear strength of walls; deep foundations; anchorage to concrete; strut and tie models; materials and durability; and other subjects related to earthquake-resistant design.

There was also a significant effort to improve the format and readability of the document. In this initial webinar, attended by many engineers and students of Kuwait University, Dr. Rahal discussed the background and effects of changes related to high-strength reinforcement, shear design of slabs and beams, strength reduction factors and hanger reinforcement for beams. Other subjects shall be addressed in future seminars.

Concrete Composites with Graphene and Nanomaterials Date: Tuesday, 9th November, 2021.
Presenter: Dr. Moetaz El-Hawary, Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Kuwait University. Vice-President of ACI-Kuwait Chapter, Chairperson of ACI-KC Technical Committee.

Graphene is a nanomaterial that is 200 times stronger than steel. The use of graphene concrete composite is obviously an excellent concept, as it increases the strength of concrete and allows the building of taller structures, and consequently in reducing the landtake for development. Dr. El-Hawary’s informative presentation covered the following topics:
•  Introduction to nanomaterials
•  Nanomaterials in concrete
•  Graphene as a nanomaterial
•  Mix design and mixing of graphene concrete composite
•  Testing and properties of graphene concrete
•  Sustainability and durability of graphene concrete
•  Conclusions

Low Compressive Strength Test Results? What They Mean and Next Steps

Date: Tuesday, 25th January, 2022.
Presenter: Dr. Sureka Sumanasooriya, Ph.D. Engineer - American Concrete Institute.

ACI-KC’s Vice President and Chairperson of its Technical Committee, Dr. Moetaz El Hawary, moderated this technical webinar that focused on the interpretation of low compressive strength results, and the next steps.

Dr. Sumanasooriya’s wide ranging presentation, which was appreciated by the many attendees, commenced with an explanation of compressive strength tests which are used for concrete acceptance, based on criteria defined in ACI 318 and ACI 301.

Tests results not meeting these criteria are referred to as low strengths. She covered the topic of low strengths in detail, and provided answers to questions such as: what is considered a strength test and what is not; what the minimum frequency of testing is; what the acceptance criteria for strength tests are; and how to investigate strength tests not meeting the acceptance requirements?

The steps needed to be taken by a concrete supplier, in case acceptance criteria are not met, were also discussed. Statistical concepts and numerical examples were shown and a list of reading resources was provided for those interested to study it in more detail. Her presentation addressed:

•  Definitions related to strength testing
•  Methods of sampling, fabrication, handling and curing strength test specimens
•  Acceptance criteria for strength tests
•  Interpretation of strength test results not meeting acceptance requirements
•  Investigation of non-compliant concrete
•  Dealing with low strength concrete issues in production