Causes And Necessary Solutions To Building Collapse In Nigeria

 The rate at which building collapse occurs in Nigeria skyrocketed within the year 2012-2017. According to Akuboh, D.O(2017),the occurrence of building collapse from 1974 to 2017 August was estimated at 240 while that of 2012 to 2017 was 71 representing 29.58%.At this time Nigeria should be experiencing total advancement in the modern building structures, but here we are still experiencing total building collapse, after all the building technologies in place and the use of advanced equipment in building construction and planning.

When we talk about building failure, this does not always refer to the total building collapse. Some buildings are still standing today whereas, some of the structural elements in the structure have failed and can only stand a few years before total collapse if proper prevention are not taken.

Building collapse occurs when the core structural elements of the building have totally failed in performing its function(s) or being unfit for its intended use. An average building life expectancy is 50 years. This does not mean the building will collapse after 50 years, but the value of the structural elements begins to depreciate naturally. This is not due to poor construction standards but the fact that the structural components have reached its peak of gaining strength, by that time the strength of the structure begins to fall. This illustration shows that any building being constructed using the right process and maintenance should last for 50 years or beyond. But What do we have now? Buildings facing total collapse even before the completion of the project,while some buildings do not show the traits of failure until few years after construction.

According to Olusola K.O et AL (2011) Collapse of a building may be either partial, progressive or sudden. In a partial collapse only a portion of the building falls down, in a progressive failure there will be signs of weakness noticeable either by seeing cracks which becomes widening with time or noticing unusual sound in the building due to structural members gradually giving way from each other. In sudden collapse the building falls down suddenly as the name denotes, it may not even give any sign prior to falling down.

REASONS ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING FAILURE IN NIGERIA.

1. CLIENTS PENCHANT FOR CHEAP LABOR :

Over 70% of Nigerians who embark on building projects prefer quacks to certified professionals in building construction, because they believe that quacks are cheaper compared to professionals.

2. BUILDINGS SHOULD BE STRICTLY USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ITS CONSTRUCTION AND ILLEGAL ADDITION OF FLOORS:

People need to be sensitized about building codes and building purposes. For example, A residential building (bungalow) shouldn't be converted to a school building (storey building ) without proper consultation with the structural engineers for possible redesign in structural elements and its foundation. The load considered in designing the structural elements /foundation of a residential building is lesser than what is considered for a school in which a room can contain close to 50 people at a time. If overloading of a structure occurs, it could lead to building collapse.

Other causes of building failure has been linked to either Natural climatic and geological conditions or man-made phenomena.

The Nigerian survey carried out has shown that The use of substandard building materials, Poor workmanship, faulty foundation, use of quacks instead of certified professionals, Non-enforcement of building codes or construction regulations and corruption in the building industry has contributed to the most recorded cases of building failure.

RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

1. All stake holders in the construction industry should adhere strictly to the provisions of the building code.

2. The standard organization of Nigeria (SON) should ensure that only certified building materials are allowed in the market.

3. Building owners should not force professionals to work within limited funds at the expense of safety, quality and structural stability

4. Residents should inspect their buildings regularly for Cracks and other structural defects and consult professionals for necessary solution and prevention.

5. Government should put in place machinery for strict monitoring of construction sites by enforcing relevant laws to sanitize the building industry.

6. People should be sensitized about building maintenance and how to check out for building failure. Because building failure precedes Building collapse.