Research Articles in Civil Engineering
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.nileuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/59
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Item Enhancing Construction Claims and Dispute Resolution in the Nigerian Building Sector: Insights from Thematic Analysis.(NJEAS, 2024-04-22) Muhammad Zailani; Onyebuchi Mogbo; Musa Umar KoloThe study investigates the mechanisms of construction claims and dispute resolution within the Nigerian building sector, employing a thematic analysis to uncover insights that could enhance these processes. The research methodology involved semi-structured interviews with professionals from leading construction companies in Abuja, Nigeria. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring they possessed relevant experience in managing construction claims and disputes. The data collected was rigorously analyzed using thematic analysis, which facilitated the identification of prevalent challenges and the evaluation of current dispute resolution methods. The findings reveal that contractual ambiguities, communication failures, and cultural differences are the primary sources of disputes, leading to significant project delivery issues such as cost overruns, schedule delays, and quality defects. Traditional dispute resolution methods, including negotiation, arbitration, and litigation, are commonly utilized, yet the study identifies a notable gap in the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques. Barriers to ADR implementation, such as lack of awareness and trust among professionals, were highlighted. The study contributes to knowledge by providing a comprehensive understanding of the dispute sources and by evaluating the effectiveness of existing resolution methods. It also offers strategic recommendations for the development of a structured framework for claims management, tailored to the Nigerian context. The implications of this research are far-reaching, suggesting improvements in contractual clarity, communication training, and policy reforms that could significantly benefit the construction industry.Item Geotechnical Investigation of Road Failure Along Abuja- Lokoja Road(NJEAS, 2024-05-10) Solomon Agbo; Amuda Akeem; Musa Umar KoloA comprehensive investigation of soil properties along the Abuja-Lokoja Road, focusing on samples A and B located between KM51 + 300 to KM51 + 200 and KM45+100 to M51+000 respectively utilizing site analysis, laboratory testing, and comparative analysis, the study identifies critical distinctions in soil composition and engineering behaviours. Sample A, classified as CH (clay of high plasticity), exhibits a moisture content of 12.6% and a density of 1.940 g/cc in contrast, Sample B, classified as GM (gravelly material), has a higher moisture content of 13.8% and a denser structure at 2.100g/cc. Despite differing compositions, both samples demonstrate comparable load-bearing capacities, reflected in California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values at 100% moisture content. Sample A records 32.7% (unsoaked) and 24.6% (soaked), while Sample B exhibits 32.7% (unsoaked) and 26.2% (soaked), indicating similar strength under specific moisture conditions. Further analysis reveals a slightly higher Liquid Limit (LL) for Sample A at 41% compared to Sample B's 40%, with closely aligned Plasticity Index (PI) values, suggesting comparable plasticity characteristics. These findings align with established trends in cohesive and gravelly soils from past research. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for informed construction practices. The study recommends tailored engineering strategies, based on precise soil characterization, to optimize infrastructure performance and longevity in diverse soil environments. The emphasis on soil analysis and tailored engineering approaches underscores their significance in enhancing infrastructure stability and durability across varying soil conditions.Item The Use of Polymer for Road Surfacing as a Strategy for Waste Recycling in Maiduguri(ICMEAS, 2023-11-01) Abubakar Damaramma Abbari; Musa Umar Kolo; Onyebuchi Mogbo; Petrus Nzerem; Ayuba SalihuThe road network in Maiduguri, Borno State in Nigeria has been continuously deteriorating due to the ongoing rise in traffic combined with insufficient maintenance due to a lack of funding. Various actions, such as securing finances for maintenance, improving roadway design, using better quality materials, and using more efficient construction techniques are reported to be useful in reducing this process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polythene on the characteristics of asphalt and concrete for road surfacing as well as strategy for waste recycling. Hot bitumen and waste polymer were combined at 160°C using a strong mechanical stirrer; plastic was added to the bituminous mix using wet process techniques to create polymer-modified bitumen. Base bitumen with a penetration grade of 60/70 was used for the laboratory tests. To achieve consistency in the mixture, all the polymers were heated and chopped into pieces. 2%, 4% and 6% volume of polymer were used with a control volume of 0%. Different tests such as the Viscosity test, Flash and fire point test, Penetration test, Marshall Test, and Ductility test were all conducted using standard procedures. The test results for penetration, ductility, viscosity, flash and fire points, indicate that the material is becoming less consistent and more resistant to temperature variations. The marshal test findings showed that the modified combination had higher stability and a lower % of VMA (Voids in mineral aggregates) than the traditional plain mixtures. This would significantly increase these mixes' resistance to rutting.Item Engineering Characterization of Rocks from Selected Quarries in Abuja, Nigeria.(NJEAS, 2024-04-19) Vandi Daniel; Timothy Iyendo; Bakma Garta; Musa Umar KoloThe study aims to understand the strength, durability, and suitability of Abuja rock for planning, design, and construction of engineering projects. Three quarries in Abuja (Kubwa, Mpape, and Lugbe) were selected, and four samples were observed to be the most dominant, covering 90%-95% of the rock used in manufacturing aggregates for engineering construction. Geotechnical engineering properties of these rocks were analyzed in an engineering laboratory. Experimental tests included uniaxial compression test, Schmidt hammer rebound test, Los Angeles Abrasion test, Water absorption/moisture content test, and Specific gravity test. The compressive strength ranges from 21.32Mpa to 28.91Mpa, classified as sedimentary rock with moderate hardness. Schmidt rebound numbers range from 21.94 to 35.28, providing immediate access to rock strength. This shows on correlation with R²= 0.409 means the uniaxial compressive strength value is nearly proportional to the Schmidt rebound number. The specific gravity and water absorption relationship showed a negative correlation, with values of 2.43, 2.32, 2.32, and 2.28 on specific gravity and 0.15%, 0.22%, 0.20%, 0.17% on water absorption/water content from porphyritic granite, porphyroblastic gneiss, biotite granite, and granite gneiss, respectively. It shows in a correlation that water content is inversely proportional to the specific gravity with value of R²=0.400. Los Angeles abrasion values were within the allowable range (20-30) which reveals values from 21.00 to 23.00. The study reveals that the engineering characteristics of the sampled rocks are within the standard range for construction purposes. Porphyritic gneiss and granite gneiss are suitable for building and road construction due to their higher compressive strength and low water absorption, providing good strength and durability under different prevailing environmental conditions.Item Geotechnical investigation of soil bearing capacity a case study of Nile university of Nigeria(NJEAS, 2024-05-11) Jamilu Abdulmumini; Amuda Akeem; Musa Umar KoloGeotechnical investigation was conducted within Nile University soil with the aid of the master plan showing areas awaiting future developments. This is as a result of the university planning for infrastructural expansion due to such in student’s population. Each time a building construction is to be taken place, the university management spent another set of money on conducting geotechnical investigation. There are no comprehensive geotechnical information of the soil bearing capacity that can represent the whole of Nile university space/area of 1,153,208,008?2. In-situ and laboratory test were carried out. Three boring point were established using map at a regular interval and drilled to a depth where basement was encountered. In each test sample were collected at 1.5m interval. The standard penetration procedure consist of split spoon and u-tube as set forth in ASTM-1990. The test involves counting the number of blows required to drive a spoon sampler by 300mm, using a weight of 64kg hammer with a free fall of 76mm on the anvil of a rod arrangement. An initial penetration of 150mm is allowable on the sampler known as sitting blows before counting the subsequent blow for the required 300mm. another six trial pit were evenly spread at regular interval at different location within the university. It was manually excavated by hand, undisturbed and disturbed sample were extracted by hand auger and shovel. Sample were extracted at 1.5m depth, properly labelled and taken to laboratory. The laboratory test of the extracted soil sample include moisture content, grain size distribution, liquid limit, plastic limit, consolidated drained test and unified soil classification system was adopted. It was observed that the results obtained from Standard Penetration test indicates variance in allowable bearing capacity with depth, between 0.0-0.5m is 56??⁄?2, 0.6- 1.0m is 112??⁄?2, 1.5- 2.0m is 215??⁄?2, 3.0 – 3.5 is 279??⁄?2, 4.5 – 5.0m is 273??⁄?2. The soil type were predominantly medium dense to very dense inorganic silty sand with clay content less than 5%. Point of refusal was encounter at 6m depth, boring was then terminated. The Direct shear box test analyses obtained from site BC and CH gave the allowable bearing capacity values of 250??⁄?2 at pit one, 211.2??⁄?2 at pit two, 798.1??⁄?2 at pit three, at pit four, 798.1??⁄?2, at pit five, 918??⁄?2 , at pit six 960.5??⁄?2, but with the results obtained from oedometer test show that we cannot adopt this allowable bearing capacity value due to it high settlement rate beyond the acceptable settlement rate set by Development Control in Nigeria, which is 100mm. therefore based on the result from oedometer test the allowable bearing capacity of 120??⁄?2 was adopted with a safe consolidated settlement of 52mm at site BC. While an allowable bearing capacity of 100??⁄?2 with safe consolidated settlement of 55mm was adopted for site CH. Site BC is predominantly underlain by Sandy Silt. While site CH the predominant soil type was Clayey Sand. Pad footing at 1.5m depth and 210??⁄?2 allowable bearing capacity should be adopted. It is recommended that for both site BC and CH pad foundation at 1.5m having maximum individual column load less than 600??⁄?2 with a ground beam adopted.