A–C
Baseline & Civil Works Terms
These terms define foundational civil construction concepts that appear across project specifications, BOQs, and contract scopes for Kenya infrastructure projects.
If you do not agree, do not access or use the service.
Note
These terms apply to all visitors, users, and other parties who access the service.
- As-Built Drawings: Final drawings reflecting all changes made during construction, submitted by the contractor at practical completion as part of the handover package.
- Bearing Capacity: The maximum load per unit area that a soil or rock formation can support without shear failure or excessive settlement — critical for foundation design.
- Bill of Quantities (BOQ): A structured document listing all works items with quantities and units, used as the pricing document in competitive tendering.
- CBR (California Bearing Ratio): A measure of subgrade soil strength used in road pavement design. Kenya roads specifications require minimum CBR values per design class.
- Compaction: The process of mechanically densifying soil to reduce voids and increase bearing capacity. Required compaction standards (95% or 98% Modified Proctor) are specified in each BOQ item.
D–F
Design & Foundation Terms
Foundation and design terms used in project feasibility, conceptual, and detailed engineering documentation.
- Dead Load: The permanent static load imposed by the self-weight of the structure and all fixed components — calculated during structural design to determine foundation and column sizing.
- Design Life: The intended operational lifespan of the infrastructure asset, typically 30–60 years for civil infrastructure and 20–25 years for electromechanical equipment.
- ESIA (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment): A statutory study required before project approval, assessing the project's environmental and social impacts and proposing mitigation measures.
- FIDIC: International Federation of Consulting Engineers — whose standard contract forms (Red, Yellow, Silver, Gold books) govern the majority of Kenya's DFI-funded infrastructure contracts.
- Footprint: The physical ground area occupied by a structure or facility — relevant for land acquisition, environmental assessment, and site logistics planning.
G–J
Geotechnical & Structural Terms
Geotechnical and structural engineering terms critical for understanding site investigation reports, foundation designs, and structural specifications.
You are responsible for safeguarding your password and for activities that occur under your account.
Important
We may suspend or terminate accounts if the information provided is inaccurate or if the account is misused.
Key geotechnical terms:
- Cohesion (c): Shear strength component of soil not dependent on confining stress — important for clay soils common in Nairobi and Central Kenya.
- Cut & Fill: Earthworks methodology where excavated material from high areas is used to fill low areas, minimising spoil disposal costs.
- Geosynthetics: Manufactured materials (geotextiles, geogrids, geomembranes) used to improve soil performance in roads, embankments, and containment structures.
- In-Situ Test: A test performed on the soil or rock in its natural state in the ground — includes SPT, CPT, and plate load tests.
- Joint Venture (JV): A contractual arrangement between two or more entities to execute a contract jointly, sharing risk, resources, and reward proportionate to JV equity split.
K–M
Materials & Testing Standards
Material standards and testing protocols referenced across Kenyan infrastructure project specifications.
- Kenya Standard (KS): Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) national standard applicable to construction materials. Project specs typically require KS or equivalent BS/ASTM/ISO standards.
- Lean Concrete (Blinding): A low-strength concrete layer (typically C10 or C15) placed under structural foundations to provide a clean, level working surface.
- M&E (Mechanical & Electrical): The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services component of a building or infrastructure project — often broken out as a specialist subcontract.
- Mix Design: A laboratory-derived proportioning of cement, aggregate, water, and admixtures to achieve specified concrete strength (cube strength at 28 days).
- Mobilisation: The initial phase of contract execution in which the contractor establishes site offices, workshops, access roads, and initial workforce — funded by the mobilisation advance payment.
Attempting unauthorized access or interference
Publishing harmful, unlawful, or misleading content
Systematic extraction or scraping of data
Using the service in a way that violates law or policy
N–R
Power & Electrical Terms
Electrical and power engineering terms used in KETRACO, KenGen, and REA project scopes.
- nominal voltage: The designated voltage level of an electrical system — 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, 132kV, 220kV, and 400kV are the standard Kenyan transmission and distribution voltage levels.
- OHTL (Overhead Transmission Line): High-voltage power transmission line supported on steel lattice towers — the primary long-distance transmission infrastructure in Kenya.
- PMU (Project Management Unit): The contracting authority's internal team managing a project — responsible for certifying progress payments and coordinating with the DFI.
- Provisional Sum (PS): A sum of money included in the contract for works that cannot be fully specified at tender stage — instructed by the Engineer as specific requirements become clear.
- Reactive Power: The component of electrical power that oscillates between source and load — managed through capacitor banks and reactive power compensation devices to maintain grid stability.
We do not guarantee that:
- The service will meet every requirement
- The service will be uninterrupted or error-free
- Results from using the service will always be accurate
- All errors will be corrected immediately
S–Z
Specifications & Standards
Specification and standards terminology used in contract documents, bid preparation, and construction quality management.
- Schedule of Rates: A pricing schedule where rates are provided per unit of work rather than for fixed quantities — used in term and framework contracts where quantities are unknown at award.
- Snagging List: A list of minor defects, omissions, or incomplete works identified during practical completion inspection — all items must be remedied before retention is released.
- Taking-Over Certificate: FIDIC document issued by the Engineer confirming practical completion of the works — triggers the start of the defects notification period and partial retention release.
- Variation Order (VO): A formal instruction from the Engineer to change the scope, quality, or timing of the works — must be valued and agreed before execution to manage contract cost risk.
- Zone of Influence: The area around a construction activity within which the works may affect existing structures, services, or the environment — requires specific management provisions.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold us harmless from claims and expenses arising from your use of the service or your breach of these terms.
We may suspend or terminate access at any time if we believe these terms have been violated or if continued access creates risk.
These terms are governed by the laws of the applicable jurisdiction and will be interpreted accordingly.
10
Changes to These Terms
We may update these terms from time to time. The revised version will replace the prior version once posted.
Your continued use of the service means you accept the updated terms.
Note
Please review this page regularly to stay informed about revisions.
