LAUTECH Journal of Civil and Environmental Studies
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Published By Lujosh Ventures Limited

2714-3988, 2651-5628

Author(s):  
I. A. Akinlabi

The use of the electrical resistivity method provides cost-effective subsurface information faster and allows reliable interpolation to be made between the tested points. It is therefore desirable to generate consistent data from resistivity measurements by using empirical relationships while only few zones of interest will require testing. This study, therefore, developed empirical relationships between electrical resistivity sounding and cone penetrometer test data for engineering site investigation using a case study from the Basement Complex Terrain of Southwestern Nigeria. Regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between the soil resistivity and cone resistance and the validity of the empirical relation was evaluated by comparing values estimated from the soil resistivity vs. cone resistance cross plot with field values obtained from cone penetration tests. The values of allowable bearing pressure computed by using both values in Meyerhof’s equation were also compared with the allowable bearing capacity deduced with laboratory values of soil strength parameters (cohesion, angle of internal friction, soil unit weight) in Terzaghi’s general formula. The results show close agreement between the measured and estimated values with the differences typically less than 10%. The standard errors of the estimates for the cone resistance and allowable bearing capacity are 2.70 and 4.16 respectively, implying reliability of the estimates. The proposed empirical relationships, therefore, appear to provide reasonable estimation of soil cone resistance and allowable bearing capacity from soil resistivity. Few complimentary cone penetrometer and laboratory tests will thus be required while the cost and duration of site investigation for engineering structures are expected to reduce.


Author(s):  
A. J Gana ◽  
M. F. Amodu

Water resources sustainability is essential to life because all living things and some non-living things need it to complete their processes. The water usage is rising, hence pressure on the availability, and some instances rose to crisis level. These pressures were due to population growth, increases in irrigated land, deforestation, soil and land degradation, and wastages. Engineering is one of the majors’ components in tackling water resources sustainability. Therefore, this paper reviews the general concepts of sustainable water resources from an engineering and management perspective. The method adopted to realize the aim of the research was a thorough literature review. Engineering has three sub-components, these are Ecological, Economic, and social sustainability. Failure in one of these sub-components is a failure of the component. The literature revealed that Water resources sustainability is a multifaceted discipline therefore, engineering discipline alone would not solve it. However, this paper proffered some recommendations and the way forward. These recommendations are the steps required at the watersheds level, the engineering strategies aspects, and the management strategy. It concluded that a holistic approach where all shareholders will be involved is an ideal approach.


Author(s):  
A. O. Ajayeoba

Increased rate of noise-associated risk factors such as speech interference and reduction in productivity, necessitated that control and regulation measures be put in place, to contain anthropogenic noise pollution in the students’ hostels. Therefore, this study assessed the various anthropogenic sources of noise pollution in students’ hostels and developed a Sound Level Monitor and Control (SLMC) device. 1250 undergraduate students across 5 students’ residential zones were sampled for demographics and investigations were conducted into respondents’ perceived medical history, identification of noise sources, and evaluation of hearing loss. Effects of noise levels were evaluated using 100 respondents’ rooms per zone following standard procedures, considering Sound-System-Only (SSO), Generators-Only (GO), and combination of Sound-System-and-Generator (SSG), loud-conversations, etc., as sources of noise. However, a noise control device incorporated with a circuit breaker was developed. The respondents were 51.2% male and 48.8% female, with 58% in the age range 18 – 27 years. The medical history showed that 1.2 and 6.4% had a hearing problem in short and long times, respectively, while 43.6% affirmed that SSO was a major noise pollution causal factor. SSO, GO, loud conversations, traffic, and grinding machines were identified as the prominent sources of anthropogenic induced noise. The minimum average SL result gave a value of 62.8400dB for both ventilated and unventilated rooms, which is 14% above 55dB threshold value recommended by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency. The developed SLMC device gave notification at the SL above 55dB for 15 seconds before disconnecting the sound system if not regulated.


Author(s):  
A. A. Ganiyu

Subcontracting is widely employed in the construction industry owing to the variation of methods, materials, magnitude, and function of the infrastructures. However, the rapport between parties in construction are mostly adversarial and plagued with hitches, which negatively impact construction productivity. This research investigates the problems associated with subcontracting strategies of contractors in industrial projects in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia via questionnaire survey. The questionnaire contains a list of thirty-three likely problems affecting subcontracting strategy of contractors organised under the three categories of planning, awarding, and contracting issues. The respondents matched the likely problems with the project value drivers (quality, cost, and time) with which they impact, and rated the magnitude of the problems on project performance. The survey identified incompatibility of the subcontractor/supplier’s time schedule with the project’s time schedule as the topmost problem related to planning issues. Unethical practices is ranked highest among problems related to awarding issues, while incompatibility of subcontracts’ terms and conditions with the main contract’s terms and conditions is rated top among the topmost problems related to contracting issues. The findings revealed that the three problem categories have negative impacts on all the project value drivers in different combinations and are almost equally significant in the view of contractors while making subcontracting decisions. Contractors are therefore advised to critically evaluate the schedule, cost, and quality performance of industrial projects during the planning, awarding, and contracting phase of subcontracting in industrial projects.


Author(s):  
C. C. Osadebe ◽  
H. A. Quadri

The prevalence of flexible pavement deterioration in the country has been adduced largely by highway researchers to trucks or heavy vehicles carrying much in excess of permitted legal limits. This study investigated levels of deterioration of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road (Northern region) and Port Harcourt-Enugu road (Southern region) caused by heavy vehicles through a 14 day traffic counts conducted at 5 strategic points each in the Northern and Southern regions. Traffic data generated were analyzed with AASHTO Design Guidelines (1993) to evaluate Equivalent Single Axle Loads (ESALs) and Vehicle Damage effects on the road. The Traffic Volume, Average Daily Traffic (ADT), and Heavy Vehicle per day (HV/day) were estimated to be 2,063,977; 147,427; and 12,246 respectively in the Northern region, while in the Southern region they were estimated to be 750,381; 53,670; and 20,951 respectively. Motorcycles, Passenger cars, Mini-buses/Pick-ups, and Heavy vehicles constitute 18.7%, 49.7%, 23.3% and 8.31% of the total traffic volume respectively in the Northern region while in the South they constitute 4.6%, 30.1%, 26.2% and 39.1% respectively. ESALs were estimated according to AASHTO Design Guidelines in the Northern and Southern regions as 547,730 and 836,208 respectively. An average Load Equivalency Factors (LEFs) of 3.43 and 3.02 were estimated for each heavy vehicle plying the Northern and Southern roads respectively and this could explain some failures (alligator cracks, potholes, depressions, linear or longitudinal cracks along the centre line amongst others) inherent on the road.


Author(s):  
A. A Raheem

Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension hence, considerable effort is required to improve concrete’s tensile strength by the use of pre-stressed concrete and addition of admixtures or additives. In this study, the use of recycled iron and steel slag (RISS) aggregate to improve the tensile strength of concrete was considered. The paper assessed the mineralogical composition of RISS and granite aggregates, and gradation. It also determines the effects of RISS aggregate on the flexural strength of concrete beams of 150 × 150 × 600 mm containing 0, 10, 20, 40 and 60% RISS aggregate replacement in mix ratios 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 and 1:3:6 with water cement ratios 0.65,0.60 and 0.55 respectively. Diffractograph of RISS and granite aggregate showed that RISS contains Magnetite, Ilmenite and Quartz, while granite contains Quartz, Annite, Microcline and Albite as the predominant minerals. The coefficient of uniformity and concavity of RISS and granite aggregate for maximum aggregate size of 37.5 mm are 4.35 and 1.33; and 4.64 and 1.76 respectively. Both aggregates contain quartz as the predominant mineral and are well graded. The result of the Flexural strength at 28 days curing is within 0.135 – 0.250 MPa specified byBS8500 – 2:2015. Flexural strength of concrete beams cast with RISS aggregate is relatively higher than concrete cast with granite aggregate. Flexural strength, a measure of tensile strength of concrete is improved as percentage RISS aggregate increased.


Author(s):  
K. O. Oriola

The evaluation of agro-industrial by-products as alternative construction materials is becoming more significant as the demand for environmentally friendly construction materials increases. In this study, the workability and compressive strength of concrete produced by combining Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) was investigated. Concrete mixes using a fixed content of 15% RHA as replacement for cement and 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% PKS as replacement for crushed granite by volume with the mix ratios of 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 and 1:3:6 were produced. The water-to-cement ratios of 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 were used for the respective mix ratios. Concrete without PKS and RHA served as control mix. The fresh concrete workability was evaluated through slump test. The concrete hardened properties determined were the density and compressive strength. The results indicated that the workability and density of PKSC were lower than control concrete, and they decreased as the PKS content in each mix ratio was increased. The compressive strength of concrete at 90 days decreased from 27.8-13.1 N/mm2, 23.8-8.9 N/mm2and 20.6-7.6 for 1:1½:3, 1:2:4 and 1:3:6, respectively as the substitution level of PKS increased from 0-100%. However, the compressive strength of concrete increased with curing age and the gain in strength of concrete containing RHA and PKSC were higher than the control at the later age. The concrete containing 15% RHA with up to 40% PKS for 1:1½:3 and 20% PKS for 1:2:4 mix ratios satisfied the minimum strength requirements for structural lightweight aggregate concrete (SLWAC) stipulated by the relevant standards. It can be concluded that the addition of 15% RHA is effective in improving the strength properties of PKSC for eco-friendly SLWAC production..


Author(s):  
B. L Olajiire-Ajayi

The high cost of purchasing inorganic fertilizer and its impacts on the soil and the environment remains a major concern in environmental management. Consequently, there is the need to explore other ways to enhance soil fertility. The study investigated the effects of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq) charcoal powders on the growth of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq). Benth seedlings. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 13 treatments and 9 replicates each. Seeds were sowed directly into polyethene pots while the various treatments were added a week after sowing seeds. Watering was done daily while weeding was done periodically. Growth parameters of seedling height (cm), stem diameter (mm) and leaf count were assessed weekly for 16weeks. Data collected was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance while the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result obtained showed that 15g of Gliricidia sepium charcoal powder + 2kg of topsoil) performed best in height and leaf production with values of 15.85cm and 20.58 respectively.5g of Bambusa vulgaris charcoal powder + 2kg of topsoil) performed best with the value of 0.41mm for stem diameter.2kg of topsoil had the least performance for all parameter assessed. The ANOVA result showed that there was significant difference at P>0.5 among the treatments at 5% level of probability in terms of plant height, stem diameter, leaf production. The study concludes that the addition of charcoalas soil additive enhanced growth of Parkia biglobosa seedling at nursery stage.


Author(s):  
J. O. Faremi

A recent development within the metropolis of Lagos State, Nigeria is the emergence of smart buildings aimed at providing safer, more secure, productive and comfortable business environment. A major challenge to the sustenance of such edifice is the delivery of strategic facilities management services to maximise the building’s efficiency and achieve expected return on investment. This study investigates sustainable facilities management practices in smart buildings using the Heritage Place as a case study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 19 facilities management personnel and 68 users of the facility. chart, mean score and Spearman’s Correlation were used as the descriptive and inferential statistical tools, respectively. The results show the most frequently practiced sustainable facilities management practice to include: compliance to the preventive maintenance schedules for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and prompt response to repairs and corrective work activities in the facility with mean scores of 5.00 and 4.90, respectively. The results further show that the facility users were dissatisfied with the level of implementation of sustainable facilities management practices, except in integrated pest management and optimised waste management where marginal satisfaction were recorded, respectively. The study recommends a sustained effort by smart buildings stakeholders at implementing sustainable facilities management practices in order to significantly and continually improve operations and maintenance activities in the buildings. And that the efforts of facilities managers for smart buildings should be geared at the delivery of strategic facilities management services that meet the expectations of users of the facilities.


Author(s):  
D. O Adeoye

Healthy housing is a function of provision of adequate physical, social and mental conditions for healthy environment. It is a function of both intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of housing that can influence human health. Environment and human activities are omen to development. The effects are manifested in generating land use problems such as congestion, sprawl development, incompatible land uses, building alterations and change of uses, the menace of temporary structures, alteration of land use functions, conversion of open and future spaces, and land degradation. Alagbede village is one of the areas that require such development drive. The study is required to facilitate this need. This research effort is to examine the environmental effect of squatter settlements in Alagbede village, Ikeja, Lagos State Nigeria. The paper examined housing conditions in terms of privacy, adequate space, physical accessibility, adequate security, security of tenure, structural stability and durability, adequate lighting, and ventilation, and basic infrastructure (such as water supply, sanitation, and waste management facilities including suitable environmental quality and health related factors and its influence on the residents of Alagbede area, Ikeja Lagos State. Approach includes the development of database and choice of appropriate data source (primary and secondary data sources). From the methodology, there were questionnaire administration, direct interview of respondents, collection and updating of the base maps, and the use of necessary field instrument for the study. The data gathered were analysed using descriptive method. The end result has revealed a number of environmental problems due to the existence of these settlements (Alagbede village). These problems are poor drainage system, noise pollution, illegal refuse dump sites, slum situations etc. Appropriate recommendations in form of short time and long term solutions were suggested to conclude the research work.


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