THE ROLE OF DRY CONSTRUCTION IN ENSURING AFFORADABLE HOUSES IN NIGERIA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
With Nigeria’s capital expenditure profile set at 24% of recurrent expenditure in 2014 and a high cost of funds for capital project execution, the construction industry in Nigeria is clearly under pressure to evolve more time and cost efficient systems of construction to ensure affordable housing in Nigeria.
The significance of housing in human history cannot be overstated. Housing is regarded as one of the best indicators of a person’s standard of living and social standing (UNCHS, 1993). Housing and building conditions also reflect a society’s living standards (Venkatarama, 2004). As a result, access to adequate and affordable housing became a priority in the mid-twentieth century. Most Nigerians lack access to decent housing units due to the high cost of building materials. This has resulted in numerous studies into the development of new and innovative dry construction techniques to improve access to housing for all.
The new dry construction technology is based on cement, quartz sand, cellulose, natural calcium, and water, and is processed by autoclave (drying process under high pressure and temperature) for durability and dimensional stability. They are formed into boards. The boards, which are available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses ranging from 6mm to 20mm, are produced in accordance with strict quality control and international standards.
The dry construction system is described as a modern building system that tends to translate the building. transformation of a process into an industrial process, According to Le (2014), the system is a more versatile and faster construction method that can save up to 70% of construction time when compared to traditional wet construction using bricks and blocks. He went on to say that whatever the Architect’s design idea, the dry construction system can achieve, pointing out that various reference building projects using the boards are now common in Nigeria.
Unlike the traditional brick and block method, this system uses very little water. The system produces minimal construction waste, and dry construction buildings retain room temperature much better and are more energy efficient. The use of timber associated with traditional construction is avoided with dry construction, and the system has a positive impact on the environment. Deforestation is being reduced.
Lower dry construction loads result in less excavation and soil disturbance. The system enhances the green building concept for modern construction around the world. Furthermore, the system is made of lightweight materials. It weighs about ten times less than equivalent blocks and mortar construction, resulting in foundation and structural cost savings.
Dry construction for eave solutions has also proven to be a much more viable option, with lower self-weight, faster construction, and better technical finishes. Building boards for dry construction have a high fire resistance rating as well as good acoustic and thermal properties. It also provides moisture and pest resistance. Le (2014) stated that skill-gap is a major challenge for dry construction and that some companies in Nigeria are in this situation. partnership with other stakeholders with skills in dry construction technology to set in motion machinery for skill acquisition with regular trainings to ensure the technology is ingrained in the Nigerian populace, adding that customers’ perception is another challenge to address, while efforts are ramping up toward continuous education about the modern building system.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
According to various researchers, with the demand for housing in Nigeria growing at a geometric rate while housing supply is growing at an arithmetic rate, there is an obvious need to develop a more practical method of achieving mass housing development in the country. Dry construction provides an excellent opportunity for government at all levels and primary mortgage institutions in Nigeria to ensure the rapid provision of mass and affordable housing. The researcher believes that dry construction technology will provide a viable alternative to the traditional wet construction method using blocks, bricks, and concrete for building professionals and contractors. However, the purpose of this research is to look into the role of dry construction in ensuring affordable housing in Nigeria.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the study’s objectives:
To investigate the role of dry construction in providing affordable housing in Nigeria.
To investigate the processes involved in the dry construction system.
To identify the factors that limit the use of dry construction systems for building development in Nigeria.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What role does dry construction play in ensuring affordable housing in Nigeria?
What steps are involved in the dry construction system?
What are the factors limiting the use of dry construction systems in Nigerian building development?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
HO: The dry construction system cannot be used to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.
HA: The dry construction system can be used to provide affordable housing for Nigerians.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The following are the study’s implications:
The findings of this study will educate building technology professionals and other stakeholders in the building industry about the importance of active innovative development with the use of dry construction systems in order to ensure the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians.
This research will also serve as a resource base for other scholars and researchers interested in conducting additional research in this field in the future, and if applied, will go so far as to provide new explanations for the topic.
1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This research will look at the role of dry construction in ensuring affordable housing in Nigeria, with the goal of determining approaches that can be used to deliver sustainable mass housing to Nigerians.
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Inadequate funding tends to impede the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.
REFERENCES
UNCHS (1993). (1993). Volume 4: Nigerian National Trends in Housing Production Practices, Nairobi, Kenya.
B.V. Venkatarama Reddy, B.V. (2004). Sustainable Building Technologies, Vol. 87/7, Current Science.
Le, A. (2014) (2014) Understanding the Concept of Stabilized Dry Construction. Technical Paper No. 2 published by VITA in Virginia. On July 7, 2014, the URL http://sleekfreak.ath.cx:81/3wdev/VITAHTM/SUBLEV/EN1/STABERTH.HTM was retrieved.