ENGINEERING APPLICATION AND RESEARCH PROGRESS OF STRUCTURAL ACRYLIC

Acrylic is a kind of thermoplastics material, which is increasingly used in architectures and structures. Compared with ordinary glass, acrylic has many advantages, such as no risk of spontaneous glass breakage, feasibility of bulk polymerization and low density. However, it has some disadvantages as well, such as inferior fire resistance and creep problem. Some famous acrylic buildings and structures in China and abroad are introduced, and also the studies conducted by researchers. The problems in current design method of acrylic structures are proposed. New design suggestions of acrylic structures are offered, which can provide reference for both researchers and designers.