ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING FAILURE IN CROSS RIVER STATE

ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING FAILURE IN CROSS RIVER STATE

  • INTRODUCTION

Building failure is a broad term that covers all occurrences about a building structure that makes it unfit for its intended use or unable to sustain its intended load, functionality or aesthetic requirements during its expected life-span (Ikpo, 2006).

Building failure does not only mean a total collapse of a building structure. It also includes all minor inconveniences like poor lighting, inadequate ventilation, wrong positioning (set-out/aspect) excessive vibration and sound infiltration (Ayiniwola and Olalusi, 2004).

Other failures include: noticeable cracks on walls, dimensional changes due to temperature and moisture variations, or those resulting from movements like foundation settlement, creep, deflection or other dynamic loads that may hamper the bearing pressure of the underlying soil formation or affect the general stability of the building (Seeley, 1976).

Further more the general deterioration and deformation of building components like floor slabs, roof members, beams and columns, etc all translates to building failure. whereas, some form of non-structural failure include paint failure, rising moisture, growing spirogyra or algae on walls, and so on (Tomlinson and Boorman, 1995).   

This research focuses in the nature and causes of these malfunctions (failures) that occur during the expected life span of the building beginning, from construction process, as it affects their functionality, stability and aesthetic value giving consideration to the general cost of construction and maintenance in Calabar and Ikom centers of Cross River State.

Highlights on instances of failures to include their locations and cost implications will be indicated as well as some remedial measures befitting for each case of befitting failure mentioned.

  • BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The causes of building failures are sort of cumulative or chainlike in effect and spans all the way from the initial stage of design, extends through out the construction process/stage and further continues to increase in effect during the utilization process of the building (Ikpo, 2006).

Moreover, these causes of building failure may occur primarily as a design deficiency or as an omission during construction even after completion wrong use of such a structure may translate to building failures all of which has various effects on the client, the built environment, the construction industry and the nation as a whole (Adejini,2005).

  • Effects of Building Failure on the Client

Satisfaction of the client is a major factor for the design and construction of any building with due regards to indented use, functionality and aesthetic all within cost estimate/budget and time. The menace of building failure always comes with wasteful repairs or replacement with resulting losses in money terms and time of completion. This usually brings gross satisfaction to clients as it entails huge financial stresses on them and often leads to a change of contractor or abandonment of the entire project (Alfred, 2001).

  • Effects of Building failures on the Environment

An aerial view of discoloured or ripped up roof covering is always and offensive of sight. In most cases were endangered buildings or those that contravene the building regulations are demolished, the rubble heaps are usually left along the streets for a long time without being evacuated. Most building failures that end up in collapse, especially those caused by natural disaster like flood, high winds  and so on have always left such a community in pains, homeless, starvation or even a spread of an epidemic.

1.2.3   Effects of Building failure on the Construction Industry

The reputation of the Nigerian Construction continues to decline for every building failure or collapse that occur. One major effect of this is the loss of contracts to foreign construction firms that should have been awarded to indigenous firms. Further more, they bring about increasing friction and conflicts between members of the construction team on who should take the blame for any such failure that occurs.

1.2.4        Effects of Building failure on the Nation

The gross or net income of any country is measured by the percapital head income of individuals i.e. what affects Nigerians, affects Nigeria. The poor reputation of a  country known for corruption and other vices is further watered  down by incessant cases of building failure and collapses, poor emergency responses should they occur, and inadequate maintenance techniques and equipment.

1.3.0   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The design and construction processes of building brings into play various person materials and operations for the actual realization of the physical building. The activities of these individuals vary both in technicality and specialization of often times involves errors of omissions the go on unchecked right from the design stage through the construction stage and after completion, during the utilization process of the building. In cross river state, there have been as upsurge in what I had earlier described that constitute building failure ant this research work focuses on identifying the factors responsible for this failures with a view of curbing the phenomenon in future constructions as well as providing remedial measures to the existing problems of building failure in the state.

1.4.0      AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

1.4.1             AIM

The aim of this study is to profer measures of curbing building failures either        as remedial work for old/existing structures or preventive measures for new constructions, giving considerations for the different factors responsible for various failure mode for cases reported for various failure mode for cases reported and identified in Calabar and Ikom township of Cross River State.

1.4.2  OBJECTIVES

  1. To identify the types of building failures peculiar to the areas of study.
  2. To identify the kind of strategies to be adopted in solving the problems of building failures identified in these areas.
  3. To determine how the problems of building failure can be tackled.
  4. To determine the kind of improvements that could be adopted with respect to the present system design, construction, monitoring and supervision in the construction industry in Nigeria.
  • SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
  • This research work if properly done and implemented can go a long way to restore the fallen image of the Nigerian construction industry.
  • The confidence of most clients on the contractors can be restored.
  • Government and other regulatory bodies would have less problems with regards to minimum standards and quality of work operations that result either in demolitions or abandonment of project.
  • There will be much less loss of lives and properties that are usually the consequence for each building failure or collapse.
  • SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF STUDY

This research work is limited to the assessment of the quality of construction materials, level of monitoring and supervision on site, and construction techniques employed in the general workmanship of site operations, and the extent of soil investigation from samples randomly selected in Ikom and Calabar Areas of Cross River State.

 

  • METHODOLOGY

This research employs data collection from both primary and secondary sources and includes: direct interview with construction personnel, clients and occupants of failed building as well as visits to such sites a careful observation and recording of features and also some non-destructive test where necessary.

REFERENCES

Adejini, A. (2005) Poor Building Maintenance in Nigeria ENHR International Conference on Housing: New Challenges and Innovation in Tomorrows Cities [email protected].

Alfred, O. U. (2001): Rising Incidence of Building Collapse in Nigeria: Any Remedy?

Ayininuola, G. M and Olalusi, O. O. (2004) Assessment of Building failures in Nigeria: Lagos and Ibadan Case Study African Journal.

Ikpo, I. J. (2006) Building Maintenance Management Manson Publishing Company, Oron.

Seeley I. V. (1995) Building Technology 5th Ed. Palgrave Publisher Ltd. New York

Seeley I. V. (1976) Building Maintenance Macmillan press Ltd. London.

Tomlinson M. J. and R. Boorman (1995). Foundation Design and Construction 6th ed. Longman Scientific and Technical. USA.

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