Polymer-Silica Based Composites in Sustainable Construction: Theory, Preparation and Characterizations

This book presents the application of Polymer-Silica Based Composites in the Construction Industry providing the fundamental framework and knowledge needed for the sustainable and efficient use of these composites as building and structural materials. It also includes characterization of prepared materials to ascertain mechanical, chemical, and physical properties and analyses results obtained using similar methods. Topics such as life cycle analysis of plastics, application of plastics in construction and elimination of plastic wastes are also discussed. The book also provides information on the outlook and competitiveness of emerging composites materials.

• Covers theory, preparation and characterizations of polymer-silica based composites for green construction.
• Discusses technology, reliability, manufacturing cost and environmental impact.
• Reviews the classification, application, and processing of polymer-silica composites.
• Gives a deeper analysis on the various tests carried out on polymer-silica composite.
• Highlights role of such composites in the Industry 4.0 and emerging technologies.

This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in civil engineering, built environment, construction materials, and materials science.

Harrison is a graduate assistant and has completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering awaiting graduation at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri, in Kenya. He has a BSc degree (2017) in mechanical engineering from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. He has research interest in plastic deformation and polymer-composite processing. He has published six journal article, four conference articles accepted in peer-reviewed conferences and submitted two book chapters in reputable publishers. Mr. Harrison’s master’s thesis was on novel processing of natural particles-reinforced polymer composites.

Dr. Mwema is a postdoctoral researcher and a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya respectively. Currently, he is the chair of department of mechanical engineering at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. He obtained BSc and MSc degrees in mechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, Kenya in 2011 and 2015 respectively. He has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, which he obtained in 2019. His Ph.D. research work involved thin film coatings for surface protection and functional components. He has interests in advanced manufacturing, severe plastic deformation processes, additive manufacturing, thin film depositions, surface engineering, and materials characterizations. In thin films, Dr. Mwema has interest in fractal theory of coatings for enhanced depositions and behavior in advanced applications. He has published more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and book chapters. He has written two book monographs all published in the year 2020. He supervises and mentors several students, currently with 4 masters and 4 Ph.D. students. He has over six years of teaching and training undergraduate students in mechanical engineering.

Dr. Thomas O Mbuya is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in the University of Nairobi. In 2012, he obtained his PhD in Engineering Materials from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom and later in 2018 spent one year the same University as a Commonwealth Rutherford Fellow. He has published extensively on microstructural characterization of materials and the micromechanisms of failure. His current research interest is in the development of sustainable models for materials resource utilization including recycling of wastes to new material products and generation of clean energy from agricultural waste.