BUILDING COLLAPSE: CAUSES AND IT INFLUENCE ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN AKWA IBOM
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at investigating the “Building collapse; causes and it influence on housing development in Akwa Ibom State. This study made used of survey research design and sample size of 80 respondents were randomly selected among the structural engineers and construction professionals in Ikot Ekpene. The findings of this study revealed that; The respondents are fully aware of building collapse in the state. The influence of building collapse on housing development includes; lost of human life, loss of capital and psychological trauma. The remedial approaches to managing and preventing building collapse are as follows; The concerned authorities should penalize defaulters in cases of building collapses, especially ones that could have been avoided, there should be strict adherence of the builders to the provisions of the building code which is a comprehensive guide to any building practitioner, Soil test, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and structural analysis needs to be made mandatory to be submitted along with the building plans to planning authorities by all the developers or building approval seekers/applicants, especially for all institutional, commercial and industrial buildings. The major causes of building collapse among others are poor quality of materials, faulty design, carefree attitude of builders. Thus, it is recommended expert bodies or built environment contributors such Nigeria institute of architects (NIA), builders, town planers and their respected regulating councils should work in synergy with the relevant government agencies in Nigeria for review and putting into practice of all existing building construction and development laws.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgments – – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – v
Table of Content – – – – – – – – vi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – 4
1.3 Aim of the Study – – – – – – – 5
1.4 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – 5
1.5 Research Questions – – – – – – – 5
1.6 Justification of the Study – – – – – 5
1.7 Scope of the Study – – – – – – – 6
1.8 Limitation of the Study – – – – – – 6
1.9 Definition of Terms – – – – – – – 7
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – 8
2.2 Nigerian Construction Industry – – – – – – 9
2.3 Causes of Building Collapse in Nigeria – – – – – 10
2.4 Effects of Building Collapse – – – – – – 15
2.5 Factors Responsible for Building Collapse in Akwa Ibom State – – 17
2.6 Building Collapse and Sustainable Development in
Akwa Ibom State – – – – – – – 21
2.7 Remedial Measure – – – – – – – 22
2.8 Strategies for Preventing Building Collapse in Akwa Ibom State – – 23
2.9 Building Construction Team in Akwa Ibom State – – – 26
2.10 Theoretical Framework – – – – – – – 33
2.11 Conceptual Framework – – – – – – – 35
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – 36
3.2 Research Design – – – – – – – 36
3.3 Study Area – – – – – – – – 36
3.4 Population of the Study – – – – – – 36
3.5 Sample Size/Sample Frame – – – – – – 37
3.6 Data Collection – – – – – – – 38
3.7 Research Instrument – – – – – – – 38
3.8 Data Analysis – – – – – – – – 39
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Presentation – – – – – – – 41
4.2 Analysis of Research Questions – – – – – 44
4.3 Discussion of Findings – – – – – – 49
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings – – – – – – 51
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 52
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – 52
References
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Since independence, the Nigerian government has desperately continued to make concerted effort in the area of quantitative (but not qualitative) supply of mass housing through huge budgetary and policy provisions but, surprisingly, the rate at which existing ones are collapsing calls for an urgent attention. The site of building collapse scattered across the length and breadth of Nigeria is quite alarming that it is unimaginable what effects it will have on the building industry and Nigeria economy as a whole. One could imagine what edifices these buildings would have been if only they were constructed accordingly (Famoroti, 2005).
It is quite unimaginable that a county blessed with so great potentials in its construction industry can experience such magnitude of building collapse Fadamiro in 2002 defined building as “an enclosure for spaces designed for specific use, meant to control local climate, distribute services and evacuate waste”. Buildings can be defined as structural entities capable of securing self by transmitting weights to the ground. More so, buildings are defined “as structures for human activities, which must be safe for the occupants” (Odulami, 2002).
For over three decades, Nigeria has experienced frequent building failure and collapse; 64 buildings were reported collapsed between 1974 and 2011 with fatality of about 300 (Tanko et al., 2013). Amongst the recent building collapse was a church pavilion collapse in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State which claimed about 200 lives on 10th December, 2016. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the main causes of such failures and find a solution to them. Another building collapse scenario was a four-storey building has collapsed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, leaving some people trapped inside the rubble, the incident happened at Iman Street, off Aka Road, Uyo on September 2022. More building collapse occurrence in the state were; collapse of market stalls at Urua Edet-Obo, a popular market at Ikot Akpatek in Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom on December, 2016. However, not much has been achieved in tackling this kind of menace (Olagunju et al., 2013). The studies by Dimuna (2010); Agwu (2014); Ayedun et al. (2011); Ayodeji (2011) describes sub-standard building materials as the cause of building failure and collapse in Nigeria. Moreover, Agwu (2014) attribute building collapse to faulty design as well as lack of proper supervision.
Therefore, most of the issues/problems could be attributed to actions and inactions of the parties involve from design down to construction stage. These parties include client, designers and constructors with the following professionals: architects, civil/structural mechanical and electrical engineers, quantity surveyors as well as builders. Most of the arguments and findings revolve around the sub-standard building materials, design and construction supervision as well as the local authorities that are responsible for design approvals and monitoring on compliance. Building failure and collapse has been lingering for over a decade in Nigeria and has been increasing at an alarming rate while the impact has been significant with multiplying effect. The primary data of this investigation were gathered through questionnaire survey, targeting the Nigerian contractors, consultants and the clients in the following disciplines: architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors; the approach to the research was quantitative in nature (Ede, 2014).
However, these same buildings have been posing treats and dangers to people either during or after construction as a result of its collapse. Collapse as a whole occurs when part or whole body of a structure fails and suddenly gives way, the structure, as a result of this failure, could not meet the purpose for which it was meant for. Building collapse is an extreme case of building failure. It means the super-structure crashes down totally or partially (Arilesere, 2002). Building failure occurs when there is a defect in one or more elements of the building caused by inability of the material making up the components of such building elements to perform its original function effectively, which may finally lead to building collapse. Buildings are meant to provide conveniences and shelter to the people, but the same building has been a danger trap to the same people. Building is expected to meet certain basic requirements such as buildability, design performance, cost effectiveness, quality, safety and timely completion (Olusola, Atta & Ayangade, 2002).
Ultimately, the effect of collapse of building structures, particularly at its completion stage and when it is occupied by users is devastating on human lives. Several productive lives and properties have been lost in the various incidences of building collapse in Akwa Ibom state and these losses which would truly be felt by future generations, have negatively impacted the socio-economic status of its citizens. Improving the qualities of lives in a city is fundamental to cities sustainability and a sustainable city is one that maintains lasting security from environmental hazards that may threaten developmental achievements
Generally, buildings are expected to be elegant and functional but many projects are constructed that do not meet any of these basic requirements. The recurring incidence of building collapse, some of which claimed innocent lives is a consequence of this. Many studies has been carried out and various workshops organized in major cities of the country by various bodies, government agencies and institution in order to look into causes of the incidence of building collapse in Nigeria, but none has been able to come out with how each of the determined factors directly lead to building collapse in the country. There are many factors that cause building collapse in Nigeria and they are structural design and quality management according to Olusola (2002). The quality management entails material variability, testing variability, judgment factor, contractors’ variability, poorly skilled workmen and unprofessional conduct. The is study aimed examining building collapse; The causes and its influence on housing development in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Building collapse is a defect or imperfection, deficiency or fault in a building element or component. It may also be as a result of omission of performance. The degree of building collapse can therefore be related to the extent or degree of deviation of a building from the “as – built” state which is in most cases represent the acceptable standard within the neighborhood, locality, state or country (Ikpo, 1998). However, building collapse can simply be defined as a total or partial/progressive failure of one or more components of a building leading to the inability of the building to perform its principal function of comfort, satisfaction, safety and stability. The incessant building collapse in some parts of the state such as collapse of 4 storey building at Iman street Uyo on 17th September, 2022, Reigners Bible Church on 10th December, 2016, and others has become a great concern to all stakeholders. Fall out of the researcher’s concern about the increasing incidents of collapse building nation-wide form the basis at which this study seeks to find out the causes, and possible influence on housing development in Akwa Ibom State.
1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to assess building collapse, causes and its influence on housing development in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the objectives of this study:
- To assess the level of awareness of building collapse among respondents in Akwa Ibom State.
- To examine the influence of building collapse on housing development in Akwa Ibom State
- To identify approaches for managing the effects of building collapse in Akwa Ibom State
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What is the level of awareness of building collapse among respondents in Akwa Ibom State?
- What are the influence of building collapse in building development in Akwa Ibom State?
- What are the approaches in managing the effect of building collapse in the State?
1.6 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The following are the justification of this study:
The outcome of this study will educate the general public and the government of the day on the causes of building collapse so as to enable relevant authorities and bodies to take the necessary precaution in order to avoid this menace.
The study also help to expose the influence of building collapse in Nigeria so as the encourage engineers, builders, architects and government agencies to put all the required effort to ensure that building are constructed according to set standard
This study will also help to enumerate remedies to the incessant building failure in Nigeria, so as to put a stop to the increasing rate of building failure in Nigeria and prevent wastage of resources, time and life.
This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study on building collapse; causes and its influence on housing development in Akwa Ibom State will focus on both private and public buildings.
The study will comprise of construction professionals such as architects, builders, engineers, quantity surveyors operating within Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District by assessing their views on the subject matter.
1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY
This researcher faced some obstacles in the course of gathering data, among the barriers were the unwillingness of some respondents, and government officials to provide information was another problem.
Again, the financial constraints made it difficult for the researcher to reach a wider public at the time frame too short.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Building Collapse: A building collapse is the sudden structural failing, partially or entirely, of a building, threatening human life and health.
Building: A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory.
Housing development: A residential area in which the houses have all been planned and built at the same time.
Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.
