A Study on Gel/Space Ratio Development in Binary Mixture Containing Portland Cement and Meta-Illite Calcined Clay/Rice Husk Ash.

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.

Modified mix design development specification batched by volume from specified mix design by weight towards improved concrete production.

•Concrete production process is usually designed to meet certain fresh properties, target strength and durability requirement. This process is referred to as the mix design, which guides the quantity and proportions of the various constituent materials to produce the concrete. Concrete mix designs are usually done in accordance to specified standard procedures in codes developed by recognized institutions like the Building Research Establishments (BRE) [1]. Other acceptable mix design methods includes the three (3) equation and double coating methods in [[2], [3]]. Standardized prescribed mix designs are generally accepted designs that meet strength requirements in normal strength concrete class as specified in [[4], [5]]. Standardized Prescribed Concrete mixes have been designed and the characteristic strengths specified in the British standards [[4], [5]] and the specified concrete mix design is recommended to be batched by weight.•Predominantly, mix designs are batched by volume within the study area and most developing countries which results to the production of less durable concrete than when batched by weight. This practice is due to the higher cost of acquiring the batching plants [6] employed in concrete production by medium to small scale construction firms.•This study developed a method of deriving a mix design to be batched by volume from the specified mix designed by weight using a design chat developed from [[4], [5]]. Concrete can then be produced with the derived mixed design and batched by volume as though it was batched by weight from the specified mix design. This method eliminates the strength disparity by both batching methods and production of more durable concrete in most developing countries.

Data on expert system-econometric entropy informatics model for adjudicating residential building project costs.

This data article presents an expert system and econometric entropy-based informatics model for residential building project for cost judgment and decisions in residential building project. The data was obtained using purposive sampling technique to select projects completed between 2009 and 2011in Lagos state Nigeria, the project were examined for their cost centres. Also, As-built cost of one thousand(1000) samples of trained As-built cost of residential building projects trained with Neural network with Levenberg Marqua after being adjusted and modified with econometric factors like inflation index, cost entropy and entropy factor to stabilized the data and were used to form and train neural network used. Probability technique was used to generate risk impact matrix and influence of entropy on the cost centres. A parametric model similar to hedonic models was generated using the utility parameters within the early and late elemental dichotomy. The model was validated through comparative analysis of the econometric loading attributes using Monte Carlo technique of SPSS software extracting the contingency coefficient. The data of the model can provide solution to the problems of knowing the cost implication of a future project and also enable a builder or contactor load cost implication of an unseen circumstance even on occasion of deferred cost reimbursement.

Experimental datasets on properties of river sand as an aggregate in replacement of crushed rock for interlocking stones production.

The data explored the assessment of the quality of river sand as an aggregate in replacement of crushed stones which are widely used by majority of manufacturers in production of interlocking stones. Experimental tests carried out on river sand and crushed rock as aggregates include: Grain size distribution, Specific gravity, moisture content determination and Bulk density to determine the quality behavior parameters and (compressive strength) to determine the strength parameters. The data of the experiments are presented in Tables and Bar charts.

Data of the properties of rebar steel brands in Lagos, Nigerian market used in reinforced concrete applications.

The data presented herein are compilations of the research summary of "Assessment of the Quality of Steel Reinforcement Bars Available in Nigerian Market" (Joshua et al., 2013) [1]. This data article provides information on the properties and cost of steel rebars used in reinforced concrete in Lagos, Nigeria. The data is based on the properties of 12 mm rebar brands which are the most used steel diameter in construction and they include actual diameters, yield strengths, ultimate strengths, ultimate/yield strength ratio, ductility and the cost of each brand. This data also contains the limiting standard properties of the highlighted properties in this data.

Survey dataset on professional's perception on site supervision and project performance.

Effective site supervision plays an important role in construction project delivery. This situates site supervisors in taking the responsibilities of coordinating and controlling all physical aspects of the day-to-day task in construction projects. A cross-sectional design approach was adopted by administering a well-structured questionnaire to selected built environment professionals. Descriptive statistics was performed on the data obtained and are presented on figures and tables. The data was also subjected to inferential statistics using Kruskal Wallis test to analyze the perceptions of respondents on effects of site supervision of construction works on completion time and quality respectively. The significance of the analyzed data is on identifying the effects of site supervision on project completion time and quality delivery. The analyzed data will also guide project stakeholders in selecting competent personnel in executing construction projects.

Data on mixing and curing methods effects on the compressive strength of concrete.

Curing, though important is sometimes underrated in concrete production. This dataset provided shows the effects of four (4) different methods of curing on two distinct mix ratios. The data provided in this article are for a study that was conducted on one hundred and sixty (160) cube samples of mix ratios 1:2:4 and 1:1.5:3 while employing four (4) different methods of curing. The data given in the article displays the finding of the study. The findings can aid in prediction and optimization of concrete behavior and compressive strength when any of the curing methods are utilized.

Data on the pozzolanic activity in coconut shell ash (CSA) for use in sustainable construction.

The data presented herein are results of the research summary of the investigation for pozzolanic activity in coconut shell ash (CSA) towards a sustainable construction. The data article provides information on the properties of Coconut Shell Ash that are indicative of pozzolanic activity as stated in ASTM C618-15 (2015) [1], BS EN 197-1 (2011) [2] and Joshua et al. (2018) [3]. The data are the physical property of the sand used in determining the binder strengths and the chemical and physical properties (oxide composition and Strength Activity Indices respectively) of the pulverized, calcined and sieved Coconut Shell Ash.

Data on factors influencing the cost, time performance of the Industrialized Building System.

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.

Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau Ethanol Extract Inhibits Hepatoma in Mice through Upregulation of the Immune Response.

Clinacanthans nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau is a popular medicinal vegetable in Southern Asia, and its extracts have displayed significant anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism for this effect has yet to be established. This study investigated the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of C. nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau 30% ethanol extract (CN30) in vivo. CN30 was prepared and its main components were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). CN30 had a significant inhibitory effect on tumor volume and weight. Hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining and TUNEL assay revealed that hepatoma cells underwent significant apoptosis with CN30 treatment, while expression levels of proliferation markers PCNA and p-AKT were significantly decreased when treated with low or high doses of CN30 treatment. Western blot analysis of PAPR, caspase-3, BAX, and Bcl2 also showed that CN30 induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Furthermore, intracellular staining analysis showed that CN30 treatment increased the number of IFN-γ⁺ T cells and decreased the number of IL-4⁺ T cells. Serum IFN-γ and interleukin-2 levels also significantly improved. Our findings indicated that CN30 demonstrated antitumor properties by up-regulating the immune response, and warrants further evaluation as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of cancers.