Client: The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE Website)

Industry: Construction & Advanced Materials

Challenge:

Engineers, specifiers, builders, and regulatory bodies need clear, practical guidance on using fibre polymer composites (FPCs) structurally. Although composites have excellent benefits (lightweight, corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight, etc.), uptake in construction is limited by:

  • Uncertainty around material properties (fibres, resins, cores), formats and manufacturing processes.

  • Limited understanding of design behaviour: durability, structural behaviour, how to design for joints, connections, and assembly.

  • Fire, smoke and toxicity performance are often barriers because many practitioners don’t know test methods or how to achieve compliance.

  • Sustainability considerations (embodied carbon, end-of-life, reuse, recycling) are increasingly critical, but guidance is fragmented.

Fluency’s Solution:

Fluency Business Group, alongside other expert authors, co-authored and edited Structural use of fibre polymer composites, a guidance book published by The Institution of Structural Engineers. Key elements of our approach included:

  • Defining a clear structure to cover everything from conceptual design to construction: material properties; manufacturing & testing; design & structural behaviour; fire, smoke & toxicity; environmental impact; case studies.

  • Ensuring that Fluency’s contributions (e.g. authorship by Fluency members) deliver practical insights, especially in case studies, material selection, and how to engage the supply chain.

  • Including exemplar case studies of real projects to show what works, what challenges were overcome, and how to apply guidance in practice.

  • Covering regulatory and performance aspects (fire, smoke, toxicity), as well as sustainability, so the guidance is relevant for both engineers and decision makers in the built environment.

Results:

The project delivered a comprehensive and practical guide, Structural use of fibre polymer composites, now recognised as the industry’s primary reference for engineers, designers, and specifiers. Key outcomes include:

  • Clear, evidence-based guidance covering material selection, design behaviour, fire safety, sustainability, and construction best practice.

  • Practical case studies that demonstrate how to apply the guidance to real projects, building confidence and reducing risk.

  • Increased ability for project teams to specify composites with confidence, engage suppliers effectively, and meet regulatory requirements.

  • Support for accelerated adoption of FPCs across the construction sector, aligning with net zero ambitions and enabling more sustainable design and material choices.

Through expert authorship and collaboration with leading institutions, Fluency helped produce a resource that is shaping best practice and driving wider use of composite materials in the built environment.

This project highlights Fluency’s expertise in shaping industry guidance and delivering practical resources that drive adoption of advanced materials in construction.

Looking to develop authoritative industry publications or strategic frameworks? Contact Fluency today!