This paper assesses the effect of direct and indirect factors on the shear performance of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete beam containing coarse aggregate (UHPFRC-CA) using four point loading arrangement. The obtained results were used to categorize UHPFRC-CA beam's failure mode, establish the influence of key factors on shear performance, and develop UHPFRC-CA beam's compression zone resistance and first shear cracking load equations whose results were compared with those fr...
Abstract Access to safe water and sanitation is a basic human right and is enshrined in the sustainable development goal 6. Consequently, resources have been channeled towards development and improvement of water sources. Unlike surface water, the demand for groundwater is increasing due to its preserved quality, affordable development capital and drought resilience. Population density has resulted into entry of pollutants into aquifers because of reduced distance between the pollutants and ...
Abstract Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a novel and environmentally friendly type of concrete that eliminates the use of cement, resulting in a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a more sustainable construction material. Alkaline activators are used in GPC to achieve rapid strength development. The most popular alkaline activators are sodium/potassium silicate and sodium/potassium hydroxide, which are known contributors to carbon emissions, hence limiting the advantages of GPC; ther...
Abstract Designing foundations, particularly highway pavements, on black cotton soil has consistently posed a delinquent for engineers, as structures supported by this type of black cotton soil are prone to unexpected cracking and settlement. The issue this study aims to solve is the lack of appropriate performance materials for use as road subgrade in regions with black cotton soil. This study aims to inspect if a mixture of silica sand and lime can be used to advance the mechanical propert...
Abstract Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is emerging as a promising alternative source of water in sub-Saharan Africa. It can be an alternative source of good-quality water to substitute other freshwater sources, to enable crop production beyond the growing season through supplemental irrigation as well as to improve the environment by minimizing the effect of drought and floods. The Rachuonyo North Sub-County of Kenya experiences low rainfall coupled with high population with limited access to r...
Abstract Energy accessibility, reliability and availability are key components of improved quality of life and human development in all spheres. As the United Nations’ SDG 7 calls for access to electricity for all by 2030, Africa still has a wide gap to fill as the statistics show that 85% of the population that will not have access to electricity is in Africa. As the world tries to wean itself off non-renewable energy and transition to green through use of renewable energy sources, hydrop...
Abstract Geopolymer concrete has been the ideal replacement for Ordinary Portland cement concrete in producing green concrete. The binder in geopolymer concrete is a cementitious paste made from amorphous Aluminosilicate and activated by an Alkaline solution. The geopolymerization process is initiated at elevated temperatures. Thus, the curing requires elevated temperatures. This curing method limits the application of geopolymer concrete in the construction industry. In a geopolymer mix, th...
Abstract rtificial neural network (ANN) modelling has been applied successfully in hydrology to predict future flows based on previous rainfall-runoff values. For a long time, flooding has been experienced in the surrounding areas of the Rift Valley lakes including Lake Baringo, fed by the River Perkerra, due to the rising water levels because of the above-normal rainfall season, resulting in massive socioeconomic losses. The study aims at predicting the occurrence of floods in River Perkerr...