Vol 14 Issue 3 July 2026-September 2026
K. C. Nwachukwu, C.A.O. Udokporo, C. F. Chimezie, J. C. Onwukaike, C. C. Nkemdilim, S. O. Joseph, C.O. Amagu, D. U. Orji, B. C. Kings- Nwachukwu
Abstract: One of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal [SDG- 9] agenda in Nigeria by 2030 is focused on building Resilient Infrastructure. Thus developing quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure such as Hydraulic Structures in the form of Bridges, Dams, etc to support Economic Development is one of the surest ways of meeting up with the SDG goals. In order to ensure and promote resilient construction, Flexural Strength [FS] testing of construction materials is important. FS is a measure of a material’s resistance to deformation under bending forces and it is crucial for the Structural Integrity of most structures such as bridges, etc. This work is therefore aimed at investigating the FS of SECC using Kings- Handy Developed Empirical Mixture Design (HDEMD) Model [K-H Model]. The work centers around Bridge Structures. SECC is a concrete mixture where expensive cement is partially replaced with two combined innovative inexpensive materials of Snail Shells Ash [SSA] and Egg Shells Ash [ESA]. In the development of the mix ratios using K-H Model, it is assumed that only 60 per cent (%) of cement is replaced with mix proportion of SSA- ESA which is kept in 50% - 50% ratio . Using conventional mix ratio of 1:2: 4, ten (10) different mix trials at different Water – Cement (W/C) ratio were generated and used to cast twenty (20) concrete beams and the FS of SECC were evaluated at each trial mix. The 28th day maximum SECC-FS is 8.34 MPa, while the minimum value is obtained as 3.21 MPa. As materials with high FS are more resistant to cracking and deformation, the SECC- FS values can sustain construction of light- weight , water retaining , some heavy –weight structures as well as structures that are subject to heavy load or stress such as Bridges at the best economic, aesthetic, safety and environmentally friendly advantages. There is therefore a call for collaboration by all stakeholders in the Civil/ Environmental Engineering/Water Resources Engineering/ Construction Industries to improve upon this innovation of partial replacement of conventional expensive construction raw materials with less expensive innovative and environmentally friendly ones as well as improvement in the culture of material testing in line with SDG- 3, 9 & 11 agenda.
Keywords: Flexural Strength [FS], SECC, Low Cost Hydraulic Structures Construction [LCHSC] , Bridge/Dam, K-H Model, Cracking/Deformation, SDG, Resilient Infrastructure.
Title: The Application of K-H Model in the Flexural Strength [FS] Investigation of SECC in Low Cost Hydraulic Structures Construction [LCHSC]
Author: K. C. Nwachukwu, C.A.O. Udokporo, C. F. Chimezie, J. C. Onwukaike, C. C. Nkemdilim, S. O. Joseph, C.O. Amagu, D. U. Orji, B. C. Kings- Nwachukwu
International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD)
Vol. 14, Issue 3, July 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 7-19
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published date: 08-September-2026
