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SUNY Canton Researchers Say Lightweight Concrete Homes Could Survive Wildfires

Canton, NY (02/21/2025) — In the wake of the devastating fires in California, an award-winning research team from SUNY Canton suggests using lightweight concrete to make homes more resilient.

A team of Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology majors was recently recognized as an Outstanding American Concrete Institute (ACI) Student Chapter for the second consecutive year for their continuing research into innovative concrete mixtures supported by fiberglass reinforcement materials. Their formulas can provide reduced fire risk, increased durability, in addition to lower maintenance and insurance costs, according to Canino School of Engineering Technology Associate Professor Saeid Haji Ghasemali.

"Using glass fiber reinforced polymer (GRFP) with lightweight concrete instead of wood could make homes much more fire-resistant and durable, as affected areas look to rebuild," Haji Ghasemali said. "While no material is completely fireproof, this combination doesn't burn like wood and can better withstand high temperatures, helping homes survive longer in a wildfire. Plus, it's stronger and doesn't rust, making it a smart choice for building safer, more resilient communities."

Instead of using steel rebar to reinforce concrete, which can conduct electricity and corrode, students inset fiberglass rods into their structures. Additional benefits of the method include a high strength-to-weight ratio, seismic performance and overall sustainability. "In wildfire-prone areas like California, investing in fire-resistant construction could prevent costly losses and improve safety," Haji Ghasemali said.

While the innovative new process seems like an ideal solution in construction, the ACI code currently does not include provisions for using GFRP in lightweight concrete, which means it is not yet fully implemented in construction practices. SUNY Canton's students are conducting research on the new material in preparation for when the industry adopts it. Their tests and experiments will ultimately help generate the necessary data to fill the gap in the building code, according to the associate professor.

The students' research in the field was also selected as one of eight winners of the Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Session at the annual ACI Convention, which will be held on March 31 in Toronto.

During the experiments, students construct concrete forms using their proprietary formulas and then break their objects in a hydraulic press to measure their strength. In 2023, the team came in second place for their research during an ACI competition. The entire operation is partially funded through a seed grant from the National Science Foundation's Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity grant obtained by SUNY Canton in 2023.

"The SUNY Canton ACI Student Chapter highlights the incredible potential and capability of our students and faculty within the Canino School of Engineering Technology," said Dean Michael J. Newtown. "Our students have demonstrated their ability to conduct cutting-edge research on the latest technologies in Civil Engineering with real-world applications."

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.

Media Attachments

Concrete Learning - SUNY Canton Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology majors Mathew Greene of Waddington and Chandradat Rampat of Norfolk, Virg., place a lightweight concrete cylinder in a hydraulic press for testing. Each cylinder received more than 40,000 pounds of force before breaking.

Mix Masters – Tim McLellan of Ogdensburg and Mathew Greene of Waddington pour sand and cement into a batch of lightweight concrete as part of a class in SUNY Canton’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology program.

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