Abstract: The construction sector continues to experience persistent contractual disputes and cost overruns arising from inefficient risk allocation, weak policy enforcement, and inadequate data-driven frameworks for predicting project performance. In Kenya, nearly 30% of public building projects have been reported by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to face disputes due to delayed payments, design variations, and inadequate contract administration. The problem of risk mismanagement has been compounded by fragmented contractual structures, particularly under the Design–Bid–Build (DBB) procurement system, which separates design and execution responsibilities. To address this challenge, the present study proposes a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model to predict contractual risk management performance in building projects within Kisii County. Using empirical risk data comprising the Risk Significance Index (RSIS), composite risk scores, policy enforcement indices, and contractor competence, the MLP model was trained with a hybrid Output–Hidden Weight Optimization (OWO–HWO) algorithm. The model achieved stable convergence with a final Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.134 and an R2  of 0.002 across 1500 epochs, indicating computational stability but limited predictive strength due to dataset constraints. The findings demonstrate that contract type and policy enforcement significantly influence the Risk Management Performance Index (RMPI), with Design–Build contracts exhibiting higher variability compared to Design–Bid–Build projects. The study concludes that hybrid neural frameworks offer a viable approach for modeling nonlinear contractual, risk relationships in developing countries. Policy recommendations include enhancing enforcement of arbitration laws, strengthening contractor competence certification, and adopting intelligent contract analytics for project monitoring. Future research should expand data sampling and integrate advanced feature selection to improve generalization.

Keywords: Contractual Risk Management, Construction Project Performance, Design–Build and Design–Bid–Build Contracts, Multilayer Perceptron, Policy Enforcement in Kenya.

Title: A Multilayer Perceptron Model for Contractual Agreement–Driven Risk Management in Building Projects: Evidence from Kisii County, Kenya

Author: Enock Nyanumba Ayuka, Gwaya Adednego, Winja Mathew

International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences

ISSN 2394-7357

Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025

Page No: 48-62

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 12-October-2025

Abstract: Sustainability in Kenya’s construction sector faces critical challenges due to fragmented data systems, weak regulatory enforcement, and limited analytical frameworks for evaluating building material performance. Although sustainable construction has gained prominence, decision-making remains largely subjective and policy-driven rather than performance-evaluated. This study addresses the problem by developing a machine learning–driven framework to quantitatively assess the Sustainability Performance Index (SPI) of building materials in Kenya. Using survey data from 328 construction professionals and twenty normalized indicators spanning economic, environmental, social, and institutional dimensions, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was trained and validated through 10-fold cross-validation. The ANN captured nonlinear dependencies among the SEET (Social, Environmental, Economic, Technological) parameters, achieving a predictive accuracy of R2=0.89  and RMSE ≈0.13 . Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) and Permutation Feature Importance analyses revealed Durability, Energy Efficiency, and Waste Reduction as dominant predictors, with Policy Enforcement and Awareness Level as critical institutional amplifiers. The findings demonstrate that the proposed ANN framework effectively operationalizes sustainability evaluation, providing policymakers and practitioners with an interpretable, evidence-based tool for material selection and performance benchmarking. The study concludes that integrating machine learning into sustainability assessment enhances transparency and adaptive governance in Kenya’s built environment. It recommends embedding such data-driven SPI models into national building codes, procurement systems, and housing policy audits to align construction practices with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 9, 11, and 12). Future research should expand empirical datasets, integrate lifecycle costing, and hybridize neural networks with fuzzy or ensemble models to improve generalization across regional contexts.

Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, Building Materials, Machine Learning, Sustainability, Sustainability Performance Index. 

Title: Machine Learning-Driven Evaluation of Sustainability Performance of Building Materials in Kenya

Author: Edna Odongo Wayodi, Absalom H. V. Lamka, George Kinoti King’oriah

International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences

ISSN 2394-7357

Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025

Page No: 33-47

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 08-October-2025

Abstract: The Natural Lateritic soil treated with up to 30% Bentonite and 20% Rice husk ash compacted using British standard light Compactive Effort, The effect of addition of Bentonite, Rice Husk Ash and Hydraulic Conductivity, were investigated to know if the Natural lateritic soil geotechnical properties can be improved to be suitable for liner in waste containment system. The results concluded that hydraulic conductivity were greatly reduced on increasing addition of bentonite and rice husk ash there by increasing  the performance of natural lateritic soil in waste containment system.

Keywords: bentonite, rice husk, Hydraulic Conductivity and waste containment.

Title: HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF LATERITIC SOIL BENTONITE MIXTURE TREATED WITH RICE HUSK ASH FOR WASTE CONTAINMENT APPLICATION

Author: Engr. F. I Ofondu, Bldr.J. O Emery, ENgr. Dr. N.C. Mmowuba

International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences

ISSN 2394-7357

Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025

Page No: 22-32

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 22-September-2025

Abstract: Sustainable construction remains under-adopted due to first-cost premiums, uneven enforcement, capability gaps, and fragmented information. This article contributes a context-fit roadmap by identifying and prioritizing strategies across regulatory, market, informational, and capability levers. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional design combined a structured Likert-scale questionnaire with semi-structured interviews of purposively sampled industry actors; descriptive statistics ranked strategies and narratives clarified complementarities. All strategies were rated effective (aggregate mean ≈ 4.21; SD ≈ 0.96). Highest support emerged for client/end-user education via case studies and county-level demonstration centres, followed by curriculum integration, building-code revision, stakeholder empowerment, approval-stage sustainability checklists, and targeted financial incentives. Findings corroborate diffusion and international evidence, adding nuance on the outsized role of visible exemplars and client-facing education. Recommended actions include updating codes, embedding approval checklists, deploying time-bound incentives, expanding labeling and cost–benefit data, integrating sustainability in curricula/CPD, establishing demonstration centres, and instituting adaptive monitoring.

Keywords: Sustainable Construction, Adoption Strategies, Policy Instruments, Financial Incentives, Diffusion of Innovations, Capacity Building.

Title: Strategies to Accelerate Adoption of Sustainable Construction in the Built Environment

Author: Odongo Edna Wayodi, Lamka H. V. Absalom, King’oriah George Kinoti

International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences

ISSN 2394-7357

Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025

Page No: 14-21

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 12-September-2025

Abstract: This study develops a framework for selecting an appropriate procurement option to accelerate sustainable infrastructural development in Delta State, Nigeria, with emphasis on Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an alternative to traditional procurement models. The research adopted a mixed-method approach, engaging 30 purposively selected construction professionals, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, builders, land surveyors, and town planners. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII), while qualitative insights were thematically interpreted. Findings reveal that inadequate funding, bureaucratic delays, and suboptimal project quality hinder infrastructure delivery under conventional procurement systems. Drawing lessons from the Lagos State PPP model, a tailored framework was proposed for Delta State, outlining institutional roles, project selection criteria, and operational procedures through the Office of Public–Private Partnership Infrastructure Development Agency (OPPPIDA). The framework aims to enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency in project delivery, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9. The study recommends adopting this PPP model, strengthening institutional capacity, and prioritizing high-impact projects in housing, transport, and water supply to bridge infrastructure gaps sustainably.

Keywords: Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs); Procurement Framework; Infrastructure Delivery; Sustainable Development; Delta State.

Title: Framework for an Appropriate Procurement Option that Will Fast Drive a Sustainable Infrastructural Development in Delta State, Nigeria

Author: Aduze C.O., Okolie K.C.

International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences

ISSN 2394-7357

Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025

Page No: 7-13

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 03-September-2025

Abstract: Infrastructure serves as the backbone of socio-economic growth, yet its delivery in Delta State, Nigeria, has continued to lag despite the state’s resource endowment. This study assessed the factors militating against infrastructure delivery using the perceptions of thirty (30) construction professionals comprising nine architects, six civil/structural engineers, six quantity surveyors, four builders, three land surveyors, and two town planners. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS (v.24), applying Relative Importance Index (RII) and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test for validation. Findings revealed that the most critical barriers to infrastructure delivery include mismanagement of public funds (RII = 0.86, 2nd rank), unsuitable procurement practices (RII = 0.86, 2nd rank), adverse economic conditions such as inflation, interest and exchange rate fluctuations (RII = 0.86, 2nd rank), and the difficult lowland riverine terrain (RII = 0.86, 2nd rank). The upland undulating topography was also significant (RII = 0.85, 5th rank), while poor contract documentation (RII = 0.75, 6th rank) and lack of political will (RII = 0.75, 6th rank) further constrained delivery. Conversely, youth restiveness (RII = 0.41, 10th rank) and lack of proper project management (RII = 0.53, 9th rank) were perceived as less critical. All factors tested were statistically significant at α = 0.05, with Wilcoxon statistics ranging from 29.5 to 114.0 (p < 0.05), thereby rejecting the null hypotheses. The study concludes that systemic inefficiencies, fiscal mismanagement, and geographical constraints constitute the dominant impediments to infrastructure delivery in Delta State. It recommends strengthening financial accountability, reforming procurement systems, diversifying state revenue beyond oil dependence, and adopting context-specific engineering solutions to overcome terrain-related challenges. Implementing these strategies would not only improve infrastructure performance in Delta State but also advance sustainable development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords: Infrastructure delivery, Delta State, Budget allocation, Procurement, Mismanagement of public funds, Youth restiveness, Political will, Project management, Sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Title: Factors Militating Against Infrastructure Delivery in Delta State, Nigeria

Author: Aduze C.O., Okolie K.C.

International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences

ISSN 2394-7357

Vol. 12, Issue 3, September 2025 - December 2025

Page No: 1-6

Novelty Journals

Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

Published Date: 03-September-2025