This paper examines the effect of combined bamboo fibers and limestone powder used as filler material on the fresh, hardened and microstructural properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The bamboo fibers of aspect ratio (l/d) of 50 and a maximum length of 50 mm was varied in steps of 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% in the SCC mix. While 10% of limestone powder was added as a filler in each of the SCC mix. The workability of the mix was assessed by slump flow test and V-funnel test, while the mechanical properties were assessed by considering the compressive and split tensile strength test after 7, 14 and 28 curing age. All concrete mixes were carried out by following the European Federation for Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete (EFNARC) standard, while the microstructure of selected samples was assessed using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Test results indicate that fiber addition influences the fresh properties of SCC. Moreover, it was observed that SCC mix containing with fiber content of 0.75% and 0.5% with the inclusion of 10% limestone powder achieved the highest compressive and split tensile strength values of 28.04 MPa and 3.26 MPa, respectively. The result showed ABOUT THE AUTHORS Anthony Ede is an associate professor of structures and materials at the department of civil engineering, Covenant University, Nigeria. His research interest includes; structural health monitoring and materials characterization.Oluwarotimi Olofinnade is a lecturer at the department of civil engineering, Covenant University, Nigeria. He is currently a visiting researcher at SRM institute, India. His research interest include; sustainable materials, engineering education, green solution to waste management and utilization.Opeyemi Joshua is a lecturer at the department of building technology, Covenant University, Nigeria. His research interest include; built environment and sustainable materials.David Nduka is a lecturer at the department of building technology, Covenant University, Nigeria. He is currently on his Ph.D, and his research interest include; built environment and sustainable materials.Obatarhie A. Oshogbunu is a student at the department of civil engineering, Covenant University, Nigeria. His research focus is on sustainable materials.

The present study examines the durability properties of Class 1 (50–75 MPa) high-performance concrete (HPC) blended with rice husk ash (RHA) as a partial replacement of CEM II B-L, 42.5 N. Six HPC mixes were prepared with RHA and used as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of CEM II alone and properties are compared with control mix having only CEM II. The binders (CEM II and RHA) were investigated for particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (SSA), oxide compositions, mineralogical phases, morphology, and functional groups using advanced techniques of laser PSD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR), respectively, to understand their import on HPC. Durability properties, including water absorption, sorptivity, and chemical attack of the HPC samples, were investigated to realise the effect of RHA on the HPC matrix. The findings revealed that the durability properties of RHA-based HPCs exhibited an acceptable range of values consistent with relevant standards. The findings established that self-produced RHA would be beneficial as a cement replacement in HPC. As the RHA is a cost-effective agro-waste, a scalable product of RHA would be a resource for sustainable technology.

Self-cured concrete is a type of concrete with a special ability to reduce autogenous shrinkage responsible for early-stage cracking. It is useful generally for the construction of high rise buildings and bridges. The application and use of this technique of curing concrete, however, depends on the level of awareness among stakeholders regarding the application of the technique and its benefits among other factors. This study, therefore, sets out to investigate the level of awareness of selected construction professionals regarding the self-curing concrete technique in addition to the benefits. A cross-sectional survey design method was embraced by giving out 115 questionnaires to builders and engineers in Lagos who were purposely selected. The data was subjected to descriptive statistics. The results indicate that about 21% of selected builders and civil engineers practicing in Lagos are not aware and familiar with the concept of self-curing technology while about 43.1% of the professionals who have the knowledge of SCT have never used it in their professional practice. In addition, lower permeability, reduced coefficients of thermal expansion, and improved microstructures of cementitious paste were perceived as the dominant benefits of the self-curing concrete method. The implication of this study to construction professionals in Nigeria is in developing capacities on innovation practices in high-strength concrete technologies that will make them strike a balance with international counterparts.

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have been widely used to enhance both the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the Portland cement (PC)–SCM composite matrix. Few studies have been undertaken to establish the gel/space ratio of meta-illite calcined clay (MCC) and rice husk ash (RHA)-based high-performance concrete (HPC) mortar. This experimental paper describes a conventional degree of hydration (non-evaporable water) and porosity routes of establishing a link amid the gel/space ratio and compressive strength of a sieved mortar from Class 1 (50–75 MPa) HPC at an early age. Using the non-evaporable water method, this paper predicted the gel/space ratio of the hardened MCC/RHA-based HPC mortars and curved fitted into Powers’ exponent equation. The results from this study revealed that MCC or RHA additions (5–30% by weight of PC) to the PC-SCM matrix led to a moderate decline in the compressive strength of the low water-binder ratio (W/B) HPC mortar. The modification aimed at void volume (superabsorbent polymers, SAP, and air) applying Bolomey’s formula and Powers’ gel/space ratio developed a suitable fitting into the Powers’ model. This experimental procedure shows feasibility to predict the MCC and RHA outcome on the compressive strength of HPC.

The data article provides the factors that influence the cost; time performance of the Industrialized Building System (IBS), its prospects and challenges. A survey technique was used for this research. Structured Questionnaires were administered to occupants of prefabricated buildings and interviews were conducted with the professionals in the building industry. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version20) was used to analyse the data obtained from the questionnaires. The variables were ranked based on Relative Importance Index (RII) calculation. The Data indicated that IBS would be more economical if used for mass production.