Towards Automation of Building Integrity Tracking: Review of Critical Causes and its Impact on Building Structures in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the causes and its impact of building collapse in two folds: The use of secondary data and also the use of observation based visual inspection survey (inspection based technique) conducted on the affected building structure. The former was done by the collections and analysing the secondary data which included information obtained about causes of collapse from published journal article, academic research reports, newspapers, conference proceedings, were reviewed to generate the required data used for the analysis. While the later was employed, using the digital camera on the different portions of the building, to obtain images of the affected areas. The study attributes the reported building collapse cases to structural defects/ failures, use of substandard building materials, faulty design/ carelessness, heavy down pour, non-compliance with building regulation/ excess loading, foundation problem, unauthorized conversion/ structural masonry, no geotechnical report/ investigation, illegal approval, no proper drainage, large span slab, undersized reinforcement, demolition process and old age illegal. The reveals that out of the one hundred and seventy- two (172) reported cases, that was recorded number of causes, fifty- four are attributed to structural failure/ defects between 1973 and 2022. It also reveals that from the visual inspection survey conducted, shows that the effect of cracks on these building, are the major contribution to the structural defects/ failure that resulted to the collapse of these building structures. The study concludes by suggesting appropriate possible measures to avert the growing increment of building collapse in Nigeria. It also seeks to reduce the impact of building collapse incident through the implementation of the real-time wireless based building integrity monitoring and risk factor indicator system, so as to be able to monitor and analysed the integrity stability of such building structure, before it tends to collapse.