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Use of Expanded Polystyrene Technology and Materials Recycling for Building Construction in Kenya

Received: 15 September 2017    Accepted: 8 October 2017    Published: 3 November 2017
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Abstract

A growing population in Kenya demands expansion of housing facilities. Traditional burnt bricks, quarry stones, timber, and corrugated iron sheets remain the most commonly used construction materials in Kenya. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) material derived from the distillation process of crude oil and is 100% recyclable, is an alternative construction material. Use of EPS material reduces the rate at which natural materials such as wood and stones are extracted from the environment, hence promoting sustainable development. EPS buildings are fast to construct, cost saving and have thermal characteristics that are suitable for areas with extreme weather conditions. Structurally, EPS materials have performed well for both low and high-rise buildings of up to ten floors. In Kenya, lack of governing standards and unawareness amongst industry players has hampered adaptability of EPS building materials. This paper discusses the potential of EPS as a construction material in Kenya. It is concluded that Kenya needs to develop strategies to promote use of environmentally friendly EPS materials.

Published in American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management (Volume 2, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12
Page(s) 64-71
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Building Technology, Recycling, Sustainable Material

References
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  • APA Style

    Hannah Nyambara Ngugi, James Wambua Kaluli, Zachary Abiero-Gariy. (2017). Use of Expanded Polystyrene Technology and Materials Recycling for Building Construction in Kenya. American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 2(5), 64-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12

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    ACS Style

    Hannah Nyambara Ngugi; James Wambua Kaluli; Zachary Abiero-Gariy. Use of Expanded Polystyrene Technology and Materials Recycling for Building Construction in Kenya. Am. J. Eng. Technol. Manag. 2017, 2(5), 64-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12

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    AMA Style

    Hannah Nyambara Ngugi, James Wambua Kaluli, Zachary Abiero-Gariy. Use of Expanded Polystyrene Technology and Materials Recycling for Building Construction in Kenya. Am J Eng Technol Manag. 2017;2(5):64-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12,
      author = {Hannah Nyambara Ngugi and James Wambua Kaluli and Zachary Abiero-Gariy},
      title = {Use of Expanded Polystyrene Technology and Materials Recycling for Building Construction in Kenya},
      journal = {American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management},
      volume = {2},
      number = {5},
      pages = {64-71},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20170205.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajetm.20170205.12},
      abstract = {A growing population in Kenya demands expansion of housing facilities. Traditional burnt bricks, quarry stones, timber, and corrugated iron sheets remain the most commonly used construction materials in Kenya. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) material derived from the distillation process of crude oil and is 100% recyclable, is an alternative construction material. Use of EPS material reduces the rate at which natural materials such as wood and stones are extracted from the environment, hence promoting sustainable development. EPS buildings are fast to construct, cost saving and have thermal characteristics that are suitable for areas with extreme weather conditions. Structurally, EPS materials have performed well for both low and high-rise buildings of up to ten floors. In Kenya, lack of governing standards and unawareness amongst industry players has hampered adaptability of EPS building materials. This paper discusses the potential of EPS as a construction material in Kenya. It is concluded that Kenya needs to develop strategies to promote use of environmentally friendly EPS materials.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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    AU  - Hannah Nyambara Ngugi
    AU  - James Wambua Kaluli
    AU  - Zachary Abiero-Gariy
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    AB  - A growing population in Kenya demands expansion of housing facilities. Traditional burnt bricks, quarry stones, timber, and corrugated iron sheets remain the most commonly used construction materials in Kenya. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) material derived from the distillation process of crude oil and is 100% recyclable, is an alternative construction material. Use of EPS material reduces the rate at which natural materials such as wood and stones are extracted from the environment, hence promoting sustainable development. EPS buildings are fast to construct, cost saving and have thermal characteristics that are suitable for areas with extreme weather conditions. Structurally, EPS materials have performed well for both low and high-rise buildings of up to ten floors. In Kenya, lack of governing standards and unawareness amongst industry players has hampered adaptability of EPS building materials. This paper discusses the potential of EPS as a construction material in Kenya. It is concluded that Kenya needs to develop strategies to promote use of environmentally friendly EPS materials.
    VL  - 2
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Author Information
  • Pan African University, Institute for Basic Sciences Technology and Innovations, Nairobi, Kenya

  • School of Biosystems and Environmental Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

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