@ a4architect,the site is in Kitengela and I recently read in a facebook page that using quarry dust instead of soil is a good option. Thanks for the readings posted.

a4architect.com ...Ashante.

@african coloner. The choice of steel size is entirely dependent on the structural engineers calculations for loading. If the building is light, the engineer will use smaller diameter steel and vice versa. No 2 buildings have the same loading.

Most of the buildings that collapse in Nairobi usually have the ground floor without stone wall bracing eg supermarkets, car parking etc. In such buildings, the owners may have assumed the steel structure similar to other buildings with wall bracing on the ground level will hold. In the case where there is a structural engineer, no assumptions as to steel size etc is made since actual loading is calculated to derive steel size.

There are Kenyans doing exactly that. Very fantastica exquisite fantabulous
.was surprised at what mother nature has given to stones the grains once polished are out of this world! Makes the picture below look like a joke

Saw it at Whitesands during one if the Mombasa homes Expo
know of two firms doing it commercially:-!

1· Sidheshwar at the junction leading to Kongowea Market off the Nyali Road The huge white building.The guys are just amazing from floor tiles to table tops to seats wall decorations etc large variety of stones some sourced from as far as TZ

2. Miritini Building Products next to Ariels guys fitting cars springs - just @ roundabout after Nyali Pry on the way to Mamba Village.

Amazing stuff. There were some nairobi based guys you can get their names from the organizers Mombasa Homes Mr Mwenda Thuranira co.

Some enterprising Kenyan should take the opportunity to cut and polish them to as below pic
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Today @the Sarit expo, I learnt about Kalinga stone/Quartz from India, Granite from Rwanda and Marble from India(I thought local source was South African?) and the prices! wacha tu[/quote]

@Siringi.. good stuff bro

@a4arch & those in the know.. Where would it be best to dig a bore-hole? I have half-acre where I plan to put up either 4 maisonettes or a bungalow+2 swahili houses. Where would it be best to dig up a bore-hole?

Thank you @A4Arch.. Any reasons? I have two neighbors with wells. One is as per your suggestion, the other 'hid' his behind his house.

http://www.homedit.com/2...ink&utm_campaign=he

Thought I'd share for container lovers:)

Naam. Been seeing them too in my rather infrequent sojourns those sides. Very nice colors.

@A4Architect am looking at purchasing/making metallic plates that are used for supporting a slab as it dries. Is it possible to advise on cost per unit and which metal is best for such? Thanks

@mibbz..will find out n revert.
@african coloner..your structural engineer should be in the best position to advice. 3 to 4 weeks is the norm. Spreading sand over the slab helps to retain water and aid in the curing. For columns, covering with gunny bags assists in retaining moisture during curing.