EFFECT OF THE USE OF SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

EFFECT OF THE USE OF SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION (CASE STUDY OF MINISTRY OF HOUSING, LAGOS STATE)

CHAPITRE ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Study’s Background

Buildings are shelters designed particularly to house people and store their valuable possessions (Oyenuga, 2010). 2010 (Oyenuga). The materials used in building construction differ depending on the type and function of the building. While constructing a structure, significant variables such as the design, materials and resources to be used, and expenses, among others, must be considered (Adewuyi, 2010). Adewuyi (2010). Among these aspects, the grade and level of materials used is quite important. The quality of structures in Nigeria is still being questioned, given the numerous undesired and unpleasant manifestations that occur shortly after completion and, in many cases, during the operational stage. Blok and Herwijnen (2001) define a building’s service life as “the duration during which a structure can function according to the requirements based on its intended use.” Langston (2011) identifies aspects that contribute to the service life of a structure as the quality of components of a building (as a result of the quality of materials used), design level, work execution level, the environment, users’ maintenance level, and others. According to Vanier (1999), the life span of a structure is a difficult phrase with numerous interpretations ranging from “time of existence” to “period of use.” However, the author emphasized that the technical lifetime of a structure is heavily dependent on the materials used. Based on the metrics established above, it can be determined that a building’s service life is the shortest period of time during which it can fulfill the user’s needs, expectations, and execute its specified functions before becoming obsolete; thus, it can be analyzed and quantified based on the integrity of the constituent components, both structural and non-structural.

Thus, the quality of the materials utilized to make these components is a role in their operation. Ugochukwu, Ogbuagu, and Okechukwu (2014) identified building materials as one of the primary factors influencing the success of the Nigerian construction business. It is a significant contribution since the quality of building materials has an effect on the quality of building construction projects. As a result, a decrease in the quality of these materials poses a significant risk not only to the service life of structures, but also to human lives, property, and the economy as a whole. Substandard construction materials are those that do not meet quality standards and have unintended consequences for the life of a structure. Inadequate materials and poor craftsmanship account for around 52 percent of architectural flaws that arise after a project’s post-occupancy era, particularly in residential buildings. Furthermore, Ajufoh et al. (2014) claim that using poorer construction materials has a 10% causative influence on structural collapse. Many structures in Nigeria, notably in Lagos, are built with substandard materials. Adewuyi (2010) believes that many contractors are selfish because they favor vendors and suppliers of subpar construction materials in order to profit from such behavior. This is seen in the presence of faults in many recently completed structures, as well as the high risk of building collapse within the state. According to Adewuyi (2010), 60 percent of building collapses in Nigeria occur in Lagos, with the use of substandard materials and poor craftsmanship by quacks being blamed for the majority of the building failures. Furthermore, Omenihu, Onundi, and Alkali (2016) state that the use of inferior materials in the construction of structures accounts for 13.2 percent of the contribution to building collapse, trailing structural failure by 24.9 percent. According to Akande, Akinjobi, Alao, and Akinrogunde (2016), inferior materials, particularly reinforcing rods, steel sections, and cement, contribute significantly to structure collapse, with up to 18.4 percent participation.

The non-structural repercussions demonstrate that the use of incorrect and inferior construction materials frequently results in faults in buildings that do not last the service life of the structure. AlSadey, Omran, and Kadir Pakir (2010) identified many typical challenges resulting from construction flaws in dwellings, including inferior construction processes, poor building materials, and poor craftsmanship. Kumar (2017) discovered that problems linked to the use of substandard construction materials include spalling, column fractures, concrete disintegration from columns, and reinforcing bar corrosion in a case study of flaws in selected structures. There are government organisations, such as the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), that are responsible for controlling the quality of building materials. However, the reality shows that these authorities are not as effective in monitoring and enforcing standards (Kabir, 2015). (Kabir, 2015). This problem arises as a result of the widespread use of bad materials in the construction industry, and it contributes significantly to the development of half-lifed and substandard structures. Corruption and other unethical behavior are prevalent in the construction industry, according to Ameh, Odusami, and Achi (2007). Unscrupulous manufacturers and suppliers integrating themselves into the supply chain and importing substandard building materials disperse the sources of these products, according to one probable hypothesis. Despite the prevalence of substandard materials in the Lagos State and Nigerian building industries, previous study has mostly focused on the implications of using inferior materials. However, research into the factors influencing the use of inferior materials in building construction activities is limited. Furthermore, many previous studies on substandard materials focused on the effect of substandard materials on building collapse rather than the motivations that encourage construction players to acquire and use subpar materials for building construction projects. As a result, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of using substandard materials on building construction.

1.2 Problem description

The importance of materials in construction work is critical since, according to research, material compromise appears to have contributed much more to building collapse than any other variable. Construction materials are extremely important and should be carefully considered so that they can be sustainable in order to meet current needs without sacrificing the future while also meeting the aforementioned future demand. Natural and man-made materials are divided into two categories. However, the use of substandard materials has resulted in the collapse of several buildings, resulting in the loss of lives, properties, and money. Furthermore, there are some factors that contribute to contractors using substandard materials, including but not limited to insufficient contractor financing, high expectations from contract awardees, technical know-how, in the sense that many building contractors employ the services of unqualified skilled men, and poor budget reviews. The use of substandard materials in building construction will be examined against this context.

1.3 The study’s purpose

The study’s principal goal is as follows:

1. Investigate the rationale for the use of substandard materials on a construction project.

2. To assess the impact of using substandard materials in a construction project.

3. Determine the relationship between construction stakeholders and building firmness.

4. To assess the steps that the Lagos State Ministry of Housing can put in place to prevent a structure from collapsing.

1.4 Research concerns

For this study, the following questions have been prepared:

What are the reasons for using subpar materials on a construction project?

What are the consequences of using substandard materials in a construction project?

Is there a link between construction stakeholders and building firmness?

What actions can the Lagos State Ministry of Housing do to prevent a building from collapsing?

1.5 Importance of the research

This study investigates the use of substandard building materials.

The study would be essential to the Lagos state government since it will show why tight legislation should be enforced and implemented prior to the start of a development project.

This study will be valuable to construction companies since it will highlight the need of not using substandard materials for building construction due to the significant impact.

This work will aid the academic community by adding to the existing literature.

1.6 The Study’s Scope

This research focuses on the use of substandard building materials. The investigation will look at the reasons behind the use of substandard materials on a construction project. The study will look into the impact of using subpar materials in a construction project. Furthermore, the study will investigate the relationship between construction stakeholders and building hardness. Finally, the study will assess the actions that the Lagos state ministry of housing can use to avoid a building from collapsing. As a result, this study is restricted to the Lagos State Ministry of Housing.

1.7 Study Restrictions

A variety of difficulties hampered this investigation, which are as follows:

As with any other research, there are challenges, ranging from a lack of needed precise resources on the issue under study to an inability to obtain data.

The researcher faced financial constraints in obtaining essential materials as well as printing and collating surveys.

Time limitation: Another constraint is time, which makes it difficult for the researcher to juggle between producing the research and engaging in other academic activity.

1.8 Terms Definition

A substandard service or product is unacceptable because it falls short of a specified standard.

Building construction: any on-site physical activity involving the erection of a structure, cladding, external finish, formwork, fixture, fitting of service installation, and the unloading of plant, machinery, materials, or the like.