Assessment of types and significant causes of building defects in University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2017
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Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Cases of building collapse in Nigeria has been on the increase since the turn of the millennium. Yet, it has been observed that most of these buildings do not just give way and fail; they first show symptoms of distresses in the form of defects. It can be said that defects in buildings constitute undesirable challenges and threats to users. Thus, investigation studies were carried out in University of Ilorin on some of its buildings, so as to determine the types and major causes of defects with a view to ultimately suggest appropriate reducing measures. The research was divided into qualitative strategy which served to reveal physical extent, and quantitative strategy which helped to gather factual data and study the relationship between how such facts accord with findings and research of past literatures. Case study survey and questionnaire survey were used. While the former helped to present the frequency of defects as actually obtainable, the latter method of assignment provided the perception levels of study respondents (clients, consultants, contractors and end users) on defects in University of Ilorin buildings. Findings thus reveal that active cracks (>1.5mm wide) on beams, columns, slabs and walls are the most frequent type, while improperly sloped roof gutters are the least frequent type. Also, workmanship error accounted for the most probable cause of 70% of the type of defects, while defective material accounted for the most probable cause of 30% of the types of defects.
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Keywords
Defects,, Failure,, Buildings,, Construction industry, Unilorin