An Investigation Into Causes of Building Collapse in Nigeria (a Case Study of Port Harcourt, Rivers State)
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim and objectives of the study are:
- To find the causes of building failure in construction work.
- To know the extent which this has affected the people involved.
- To provide the means of controlling failures and its effects in construction work.
- To know the different types of failure.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
COLLAPSE OF BUILDING
This is defined according to the (Cambridge International Dictionary) as “to fall down suddenly as a result of pressure or lack of strength or support”. However, it is seven types of failure in building that result to a great damage which can also lead to lost of life of people and this occurs when a building fell down in a heap.
According to Engr. Ndubuka’s (Theory of structure lecture note book 2006) recorded that, analysis of structure is the process of investigating a particular structure with known loads to determine the distribution of forces throughout the various members that make up that structure. It includes determining the distribution of stresses within individual members which result from the forces imposed on them. However it covers and calculation of deflection, that is, how far the structure will remove under a particular set of loads and the analysis of the structure is necessary to prove that, it is strong enough to support a given set of load.
Failure is defined according to oxford English dictionary, which says that “failure is the lack of success or the state of being inadequate, not functioning as was expected or require”. This definition could be corrected to give a contextual meaning to failure.
Entitled “construction failure published by (John willy and sons incorporated, new York, Sydney, Toronto 1986) on page 7, says, if we define building failure as observed collapse, there are very few failures. But if non conformity with design expectations, it’s considered as engineering failure, and there are many failure, which are more logical and honest approach. So when the design objectives are violated that safety and services ability requirement and according to structural code of practice CP110 and BS8110 can no longer be achieved and reinforced/plan building structures, that the structure is said to have failed, the some is attributed to non adherent and specification, paper working and material requirement and inadequate soil exploration.
Failure is an inevitable phenomenon in all types of reinforcement/plan concrete building structure whether small or big, frame or load bearing. This range from ultimate buildings collapse to serviceability limit state like deflection, cracking etc. Available technical report on structural failures reveal that sometimes there is a single explanation of condition (mistake over signs, misunderstanding even dishonest performance where no single item can be picked as the soul cause of failure).
CHAPTER THREE
DATA COLLECTION AND METHODOLOGY
With a view of making and in depth study of this research work and also to attain the objectives of the study a field survey was conducted in the chosen case study.
Herein this project, both primary and secondary data were used with additional information from internet, textbooks, lecturer’s notes, newspaper.
Sample collection is one of the most important and difficult aspects in this research work. Infact, for analytical result to have some meaning and significance attention must be paid in collection of data. Collection of data is an operation involving procuring as E-reasonable amount of material that is representative of the whole study.
SOURCES OF DATA
The major sources of data are the primary and secondary sources.
PRIMARY SOURCES:
This write up was mainly base on the primary source through the use of oral interviews and questionnaires administered to various ministries construction companies, engineers/contractors respectively in Port Harcourt area of River State.
CHAPTER FOUR
INTRODUCTION
All data collected from the area under investigation were analyzed and presented in the form of a simple table.
Data procured through interview and already made information from writing report are analyzed by adoption of some quantitative techniques. Data analysis involves the grouping and tabulation of figures according to the place gotten or collected. The tabular presentation deals with conclusively information which has been normally done.
CHAPTER FIVE
RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
For the purpose of this research, having studied carefully, the causes of structural collapse at plot 308 Abacha Rumueme Road Port-Harcourt River State, have been considered in the following recommendation, which will minimize the frequent causes of collapsed structure in Port Harcourt and Nigeria in general.
This research work recommends, that the government authority should institute an enquiry to any collapse structure that whoever that is found guilty should be prosecuted in a law court. More so, if such involves loss of lives or damage to other peoples properties in the neighborhood should also persecuted.
Also, for any minor change in design concept, there should be new drawings and design calculations for it, and it should be notified to town planning authority. For supervision, the resident qualified registered structural engineers whose registration must have been recognized by either state or federal government should handle the construction of residential building in River State and Nigeria in general.
It recommends the soil investigation for all structures mostly in any swampy terrain should be made mandatory. Also the approval authority of state and federal government should employ qualified and experienced structural engineer for good assessments of drawings. For any structural design, calculation and drawings submitted for approval should be prepared by qualified and registered structural engineer whose professional competence have been confirmed by corporate member of the Nigerian institute of structural Engineers for approval and stamping. And before the approval, he most make sure that, the beams, columns and slabs are well detailed properly.
For the issuing of completion certificate, it most be issued by signing and stamped by both a qualified professional Structural Engineer and an architect, and such certification of completion is an attestation to the compliance with regulatory and planning bye-laws of the approval authority.
Finally, it recommended that, for any contractor handling any structure should use good quality material as it is been specified in the drawing and be sure of good supervisions in any stage of work.
CONCLUSION
Base on this research work, it has investigated into causes of building collapse in Nigeria mostly at plot 308 Abacha Road, Rumueme Port Harcourt River State for its causes, effects and remedies, which or was achieved through severe experiments, practical, oral interview and personal observation.
From the result of the experiment, practicals and personal observation, the building collapse located at plot 308, Abacha Road Rumueme in Port Harcourt is caused as a result of the following:
- Excess loading and poor reinforcement placement and arrangement
- Wrong specification
- Poor concrete mix
- Poor supervision
- Use of improper and details of drawing by in experience personnel
- Use of poor quality building construction materials
- Non compliance by the appropriate body in building industry.
- Therefore, since the remedial measures for these causes have been outlined, before, it adviced to maintained those measures so that the collapse of building will definitely be eliminated in our country.
Finally, structural collapse, occur as a result of negligence of responsibility caused by some body, therefore care should be taken when planning and construction of a building.
REFERENCES
- ETTU Lawreence. O (1997) Design of Reinforced concrete Elements
- Charismatic Four Publication LTD 21, Mbaise Road Owerri P.B Box 3762, pp. 25-26
- Field J. Jacobs (1959) Lessons from Failure Concrete Structure
- A.C.I and IOWA State University pp. 7-10
- Field J.Jacobs (1986) Construction Failure
- John Willey and Sons
- Incorporated New York, Sydney, Toronto. pp.4-11
- gbaedo Ademoroti (1992) “Foundation Failure in Building” daily Time for Nigeria,
- Wednesday July, 15 Pp 29
- Ivoh H.Seeley (1980) Building Construction Technology,
- Second Edition, Macmillan Press Limited pp.30-31
- issac O, Sobitie (1991) “Economic and social Implication of Collapse Building” (1991) Seminar Paper) Courtesy N.S.C (1991 A.C. Report)
- Nigerian Society of Engineers “Causes of Failure and Remedies (2005 Seminar Paper)
- Oduwole O.S.V and M.C Arimanwa (2003) Engineering Construction Technology (A Concise Introduction) pp. 46-47
