By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Building and Roads Research Institute, (NBRRI), Engr. Prof. Samson Duna, has lamented that the use of Sub-standard construction materials is rampant and must be stopped by the concern authority in order to reduce building failure and collapse.
He made the assertion when he presented a paper titled ‘Building Collapse in Nigeria: A Preventable Human Infliction’ at the
Faculty of Engineering & Engineering Technology, Abubakar Tarawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi recently.
According to him, “There are various types of materials used in the construction of buildings, they include Steel, cement, aggregates, timber, glass, ceramics, plastics, galvanized irons e.t.c. Each material has unique properties such as weight, strength, durability and cost which makes it suitable for its applications in building.”
He added that Building collapse as defined by researchers is a condition of complete failure when the structure has given way and most elements buckled or caved in (Ultimate failure).
Some researchers have also def ned building collapse as a total failure or partial failure of one or more components of a building resulting in its inability to perform its principal function of stability, safety and comfort (Ultimate and serviceability failure).
The collapse of building in Nigeria, has become a great challenge especially to the stakeholders in the built environment, among which include Town planners, Builders, Engineers, Architects, Land and Quantity surveyors, Government, developers, landlords and other investors.
Buildings especially the high rise buildings are made up of structural element such as columns, beams, slabs and foundations. Each of these elements must be designed to meet up the requirement of serviceability and ultimate limit state. If any of these structural elements are not designed properly it leads to building collapse.
The DG/CEO of NBRRI added that faulty design or absence of approved designed drawings during construction should not be tolerated anywhere in the country as it is the best practice world over.
According to him, Lack of topography and geotechnical investigation was observed that most of the buildings collapsed during raining season while the actual values of soil bearing capacity must be used instead of assuming the values.
He also noted that absence of standard (well equipped) laboratory for testing of construction materials is contributory to the series of building collapse.
On the use of non-certified professionals (Quacks) in execution of buildings, he lamented the situation just as he quiried the bsence of organized professional bodies in the construction sector as well as bsence of rapid response team coupled with the
Government’s reluctance to punish defaulters.
In his recommendations, Samson Duna stated that NBRRI is advocating that Structural Integrity Assessment be carried out for all existing structures built over a period of 15 years with emphasis on area or location that has experience bomb blast.
All stakeholders in the construction industry should adhere strictly to the provisions of the building code while Construction of buildings must be carried out in accordance to design specifications.
He also recommended that Construction of large-scale buildings should be awarded to competent and registered contractors.
Regulatory professional bodies should regularly organize workshops for stakeholders in the building industry to update their knowledge, public enlightenment and sensitization campaigns. should be carry out regularly.
Geotechnical investigation and structural analysis must be made mandatory and should be submitted to supervising authorities before commencing the construction.
Government and professional bodies should synthesize the general public on the steps to follow when embarking on high rise building projects.
All professional bodies should strengthen its arm of monitoring, to ensure they function effectively during project supervision.
The professionals must be involved in maintaining and supervision of building projects especially high rise building. Funds for the supervision should be in cooperated in the cost of the project
Government should ensure that certif ed laboratory for the testing of construction materials are made available in each state, if not, Agency with standard laboratory equipment should be identify for patronage by contractors.
Professionals in the construction sector should attend refresher courses to refresh their knowledge; it should be a requirement for renewal of license to operate, this should be carried out in every 3 years, and this should be handled by their professional bodies.
Government should established in each state rapid response team that will cater for victims of building collapse when it occurs while a strong law should be enacted by the National Assembly to punished those that violate the building code, which will serve as deterrent to others.
Buildings are expected to accommodate human being and his belongings, next to food in priority is shelter which is building.
Importance of buildings in the society can not be overemphasised; In addition to accommodating human beings, it can be use a tourist centre, it also depicts culture of the people.
Nigeria is a developing country with an estimated population of over 200million people and must be accommodated in a building
A typical developing country like Nigeria, is faced with various challenges centered on inadequate basic infrastructure such as buildings, roads, culverts, electricity, water etc.
Buildings are constructed with construction materials. Some of the materials used are naturally obtained while others are produced in the factory.
