ECO-CONCRETE SITE VISIT IN ISINYA

Last Friday, we had the opportunity to visit the EcoConcrete Kenya ltd. production yard in Isinya to gain practical insights into beam and block flooring systems.

We were taken through the entire process by Eng. Simon Ogalo, who broke down each stage in a way that was clear and easy to grasp. He explained that achieving the required strength in the blocks involves the use of a Class 60 concrete mix, alongside prestressing steel with a strength of 1770 MPa. The hollow nature of the blocks is not only for reducing weight but also for enhancing sound insulation properties. A major highlight was the precision involved in controlled batching to consistently achieve the desired strength.

One key shift that stood out was the move toward fibre mesh. It serves as a simple yet effective alternative to traditional BRC mesh, offering comparable performance at a lower cost while efficiently controlling cracking. This is further enhanced by dividing slabs into 3m sections, as most cracks tend to occur at that spacing.

The hollow concrete blocks are efficiently produced using semi-automatic hydraulic machines, allowing for high daily output while maintaining consistency and quality.

We also gained a clearer understanding of prestressing versus post-tensioning. Prestressing involves tensioning the steel before the concrete is cast, enabling it to gain strength as the concrete cures. In contrast, post-tensioning is carried out in situ after the concrete has hardened by applying tension to embedded tendons.

A big thank you to EcoConcrete Kenya ltd. for hosting us, Eng. Simon for the insightful session and Arch.Shareen Shiraz Din for coordinating and ensuring the entire process ran smoothly.