Buildings Collapse and Socio-Economic Development of People in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined buildings collapse and its effects on the socio-economic
development of people in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A collapsed
building at house number 54 on Oba Overanwen Road in Gwarimpa Housing
Estate was used as a case in point to ascertain the remote causes of its collapse. Factors, such as failure in foundation, the use of poor and substandard building materials, cement adulteration and seepage of ground water into foundations were investigated. The study adopted the expository and experimentalapproaches. Findings showed that the bearing capacity of  the underlying soil in Gwarimpa collapsed site is 17.5% below the load intensity exerted on it. Concrete specimens obtained from the site and tested gave very poor results which did not meet minimum required strength of concrete of 1:2:4 or 1:3:6, respectively. Steel reinforcement bars tested also showed inadequate characteristic strength (fy) well below 410N/mm2. This study discovered among others that most of the high rise buildings do not have provision for collection and channeling of storm water away from the buildings, thereby causing weakness to the underlying soil in foundations due to excess water intake during the rainy season. The study, therefore, recommends consistent concrete strength test during building production and the choice of foundation should be based on knowledge of the bearing capacity of the underlying soil.