EVALUATION OF THE FACTORS THAT CAUSED THE BUILDING FAILURE OF EKOSODIN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This project evaluated the factors that caused building failure of Ekosodin Junior Secondary School. The school is located in Ekosodin Quarters, Ovia North East L.G.A, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Site investigation and site analyses were carried out on the course of this project. Disturbed sampling method was used to carry soil samples from the site under analyses using hand tools (such as digger, hoe and trowel) to University of Benin Geotechnical Research Laboratory for testing. Non-destructive test (using the Rebound Hammer) was also carried out on some the structural members. After careful site investigations, field analyses and laboratory soil testing, it was observed that the average concrete strength of some of the structural members as tested using Non-destructive test (Rebound Hammer test) was approximately 17N/mm². Column strength ranges from 14N/mm² to 20N/mm², beam strength ranges from 14N/mm² to 18N/mm² as compared to the standard value of 24N/mm² concrete strength in accordance with BS8110. This results shows low quality or substandard use of materials as one of the major factors of the school’s building to fail. Other causes of the building failure of the school building were identified as; improper mixing of concrete, lack of maintenance culture and abandonment by the contractor and State Government as the school building project was never completed. The site soil ultimate bearing capacity from laboratory testing was satisfied. One of the solutions and recommendations to this problem is that contractors should use the right amount of quality and standard materials for building construction. Government should always finish and maintain any school building project and not waste tax payer’s money as it is their responsibility