PAN AFRICAN UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE FOR BASIC SCIENCES,

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

(PAUSTI)

Research Progress Report

(To be filled in triplicate)

Students Name: JEAN MUNYANEZA

Reg. No.: CE300-0020/2021

Programme: MSc Civil Engineering (Structural Option)

Report No.: □1 □2 □3 □4

Title of Research:

STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS WITH RICE

HUSK BIOCHAR AND CALCINED KAOLIN AS PATIAL CEMENT REPLACEMENT
Overall goal of the project

To evaluate the structural performance of reinforced concrete beam with rice husk biochar and
calcined kaolin as partial cement replacement.

Specific Objectives

1. To characterize constituent materials (rice husk biochar, calcined kaolin, fine and coarse
aggregates, cement and water) for use in reinforced concrete beams.
2. To determine the physical and mechanical properties of concrete with rice husk biochar and
calcined kaolin as partial cement replacement.
3. To assess the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams with rice husk biochar and
calcined kaolin as partial cement replacement.
4. To evaluate the effect of rice husk biochar on the durability and thermal properties of
concrete with rice husk biochar and calcined kaolin.

Summary of research activities for the period (Additional Sheets may be used where
necessary)

1.Purchased materials mainly strain gauges from Japan, raw kaolin clay, steel bars (rebars) &
wire from hardware shops, Kenya and made calcination of kaolin clay in a furnace at Kenyatta
University

2. Conducted analysis of cement and calcined kaolin to determine their key chemical
composition for elemental analysis using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

3. Conducted laboratory tests for characterization of materials (cement, F.A, C.A, rebars, C.K)

4. Determined physical & mechanical properties and optimal dosage of concrete blended with
calcined kaolin at different percentages (0%,5%,10%,15%, 20%, 25%,30%) from laboratory
tests

6.Designed reinforced concrete (RC) beams and Casted RC beams with calcined kaolin using the
determined optimal dosage of concrete blended with calcined kaolin from laboratory tests
 6.Collected and reviewed relevant literatures on Structural Performance of reinforced concrete
beams containing calcined kaolin / metakaolin and literatures on concrete with different
feedstocks of biochar

Objectives accomplished to date

Objective 1(status:65% completed)

Objective 2 (status:65% completed)

Objective 3 (status: 40% completed)

Objective 4 (status:0% completed)

Objectives yet to be accomplished

Objective 4 (status:0% completed)

Change of objectives if any and reasons as to why?

Removal of last objective as the objectives 1,2 & 3 are enough at master’s level. It was suggested
by the panelists from the progress presentation.
Challenges/limitations

1.Insuffiscient equipment: Data logger has to be shared with mechanical department which takes
time as they use it long time. Molds and concrete mixer also to be shared with all laboratory
users which leads to an increase of time.

2. Limited access to the laboratory: It is used only in weekdays from 8 am to 6pm. Suggest to be
open all days 24/24 from Monday to Sundays.

3. Congested laboratory due to a lot of users

4. UTM machine not repaired: using manual one consumes time

Students Signature: .......................................................... Date: ......17th of July 2023.

 For official use only

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Programme Coordinator

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Deputy Director, PAUSTI

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CC: Director BPS

Director PAUSTI