Biography
Dr. Charles Kahanji is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Zambia. He also serves as Centre Leader of the Bridge Maintenance and Management Centre in the School of Engineering, where he leads research and capacity-building initiatives focused on infrastructure resilience and sustainable development.
He holds a PhD in Structural Fire Engineering from Ulster University, United Kingdom. His international research experience includes a postdoctoral research fellowship at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and a Fulbright Visiting Scholar appointment at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA. These experiences have contributed to his interdisciplinary approach to engineering research, education, and innovation.
At the University of Zambia, Dr. Kahanji previously served as Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Students (2019–2021), contributing to the advancement of postgraduate training and research.
His research interests include structural fire engineering, infrastructure resilience, and bridge maintenance and management. Through his teaching, research, leadership, and international collaborations, he contributes to advancing engineering education, strengthening research capacity, and supporting sustainable infrastructure development in Zambia and the wider region.
Publications
Selected Key Publications
1 Kahanji, C., Ali, F. A., & Nadjai, A. (2017). Structural performance of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams. Structural Concrete, 18(2), 249-258. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201600006
2 Kahanji, C., Ali, F. A., & Nadjai, A. (2016). Explosive spalling of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete beams under fire. Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, 7(4), 328-348. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSFE-12-2016-023
3 Kahanji, C. Ali, F. A., Nadjai, A., & Alam, N. (2018). Effect of curing temperature on the behaviour of UHPFRC at elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials, 182, 670-681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.06.163
4 Silewu, K., Kahanji, C., & Simwanda, L. (2025). Explainable machine learning prediction of the flexural capacity of UHPFRC beams. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003677895-130
5 Simwanda, L., Kahanji, C., & Ali, F. A. (2023). Numerical modelling, parametric analysis and design of UHPFRC beams exposed to fire. Structures, 52, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.03.155
6 Cicione, A., Walls, R. S., & Kahanji, C. (2019). Experimental study of fire spread between multiple full scale informal settlement dwellings. Fire Safety Journal, 105, 19-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2019.02.001
7 Walls, R. S., Eksteen, R., Kahanji, C. & Cicione, A. (2019). Appraisal of fire safety interventions and strategies for informal settlements in South Africa. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-10-2018-0350
8 Wang, Y., Bertrand, C., Beshir, M., Kahanji, C., Walls, R., & Rush, D. (2020). Developing an experimental database of burning characteristics of combustible informal dwelling materials based on South African informal settlement investigation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2019.102938
9 Leshinka, P., Kahanji, C., Mwanaumo, E., & Thwala, W. (2026). Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Construction Safety: A Systematic Review of OHS Standards. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 772, 245-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-08992-2_21
10 Fateh, T., Kahanji, C., Joseph, P., & Rogaume, T. (2017). A study of the effect of thickness on the thermal degradation and flammability characteristics of some composite materials using a cone calorimeter. Journal of Fire Sciences, 35(6), 547-564. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734904117713690
Research Interest
Research Interest
- Construction Materials
- Ultra-High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC)
- Cementitious Composites
- Fire Engineering
- Structural Fire Resistance
- Bridge Engineering
- Bridge Assessment
- Structural Durability
- Structural Performance
Projects and Grants
Active Research Projects
China-Zambia Joint Laboratory on Resilient and Synergistic Development of Hydropower and Renewable Energy