1. OUBEDOULAYE KONE - Department of Civil Engineering, Pan African University, Institute for Basic Science, Technology and
Innovation, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Nairobi, Kenya.
2. DAVID OTIENO KOTENG - School of Civil and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya.
3. MOHAMMED MATALLAH - Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tlemcen, Algeria.
4. CHARLES KARIMI KABUBO - Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Centre, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
Concrete is a widely used construction material all over the world. It is invariably reinforced with steel to mitigate its low strength in tension. Steel is derived from natural deposits of hematite and magnetite, and the extraction from ore uses subsidiary raw materials, primarily coal and limestone, and a large amount of energy. This results in continuous depletion of non-renewable natural resources, degradation of the landscape, and pollution of the environment due to the emission of greenhouse gases during extraction. If the use of steel in concrete can be reduced through the use of organic reinforcing strips derived from plants that can be planted and harvested, therefore renewable, this would not only result in sustainable use of resources but would also reduce environmental pollution and degradation of the landscape. This study investigates the possibility of using brasses aethiopum mart timber strips as reinforcement in concrete columns. The results obtained show good potential for their use as reinforcement in columns. Substantial reduction in the cost of construction can also be expected.
Sustainability, Energy, Brasses Aethiopum Mart Timber, Compressive Strength, Cost Reduction, Steel, Reinforced Concrete Column.