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Research Article
Investigation of the Impacts of the Construction Industry on the Environment: The Case of Western Oromia National Regional State
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2024
Pages:
1-8
Received:
18 December 2023
Accepted:
6 January 2024
Published:
23 January 2024
Abstract: Throughout the process of its development, construction operations have effects on the environment. These affects happen from the beginning of work on site through the development period, the operational period, and the ultimate devastation when a building comes to the conclusion of its existence. Indeed, in spite of the fact that the development retro is comparatively shorter in comparison to the other stages of building’s life, it has assorted critical influences on the environment. This essay explores the main impacts of construction activities on the environment in waster Oromia, a national regional state. From the literature, forty-four negative impacts of construction activities on the environment have been identified. A cross-sectional survey was conducted after these impacts were further divided into ten main groups. Respondents’ opinions were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed to one hundred professional respondents, who included 52 structural engineers, 29 quantity surveyors, and 14 architects. The respondents were asked to identify the greatest environmental impacts. The environmental impacts identified were evaluated and ranked by the relative impact index method. According to the results of the study, the respondents agreed that resource consumption groups are the highest ranked among the top ten groups impact of construction activities on the environment in the western Oromia national regional state. The paper makes recommendations for stakeholders in the construction sector to adapt regulations or standards to the construction environment in western Oromia national regional state and ensure their correct and efficient implementation.
Abstract: Throughout the process of its development, construction operations have effects on the environment. These affects happen from the beginning of work on site through the development period, the operational period, and the ultimate devastation when a building comes to the conclusion of its existence. Indeed, in spite of the fact that the development r...
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Research Article
Impact of Vibrations on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete: Case Study of Constructions in the City of Douala Cameroon
Andre Abanda,
Fabien Kenmogne*,
Martial Nde Ngnihamye,
Blaise Ngwem Bayiha,
Ekoum Ewandjo Nkoue,
Roger Eno,
Etienne Marc Ndtoungou,
Willy Arnold Donda Fonchou,
Emmanuel Yamb Bell
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2024
Pages:
9-26
Received:
6 January 2024
Accepted:
20 January 2024
Published:
1 February 2024
Abstract: In the field of construction, concrete is the most consumed material. Despite the arrival on the market of fluid concretes such as self-compacting concretes, ordinary concretes still represent the most used on construction sites today. In order to finalize the filling of the formwork and achieve the expected performance, these concretes are vibrated occasionally using a vibrating needle. In this work, the impact of vibrations on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete in the city of Douala Cameroon is investigated, taking into account the recent progress in the field of use and improvement of concrete material. Firstly, the concrete material is analyzed by looking at its use, its formulations, its physical-mechanical characteristics and its behavior with regard to the environment. Then the mechanical characteristics representative of available vibration equipment is identified. Using the formulations obtained, the fluidity and consistency ranges over which vibration of the material is necessary is identified. A simple analytical model to predict the action diameter of the vibrator is then developed and compared to the experimental results found. Finally, a minimum vibration time value necessary for compaction of the material is quantified as well as a minimum vibration time value necessary for improving the physical and mechanical quality of the facing after vibration and setting of the concrete.
Abstract: In the field of construction, concrete is the most consumed material. Despite the arrival on the market of fluid concretes such as self-compacting concretes, ordinary concretes still represent the most used on construction sites today. In order to finalize the filling of the formwork and achieve the expected performance, these concretes are vibrate...
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Research Article
Effect of Crude Oil Contamination on Compaction and Consistency of Some Clay Soils from Parts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Ebiegberi Oborie,
Alfred Wilson Opukumo*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2024
Pages:
27-32
Received:
8 January 2024
Accepted:
29 January 2024
Published:
20 February 2024
Abstract: Bayelsa state is the southernmost part of the crude oil prolific Niger Delta region of Nigeria where oil exploration and exploitation activities have resulted to the pollution of its land, water, and air. Most parts of the area have experienced crude oil contamination of one form or the other, and the effects on man and the ecosystem are wide ranging. This study has examined the effect of oil contamination on the compaction behaviour of two clay samples obtained at shallow foundation depths in Yenagoa. The two clay samples, A and B are classified according to the unified soil classification system (USCS) as high plasticity inorganic sandy fat clay, and sandy lean clay, respectively. 4, 8, and 12 % crude oil by mass of dry soil were used to mix with the soil samples and left to cure in plastic bags for 48 hours before testing. In sample B, liquid limit (LL) was found to increase by about 9% for all proportions of crude oil while plastic limit (PL) was increased by 13%, 15%, and 27% for 4, 8, and 12 % oil content, respectively. These increase in LL and PL also brought about an increase in plasticity index except for 12% crude oil treatment. However, in all, a low plastic soil was changed to a slightly high plastic one as plotted on the Casagrande chart. The maximum dry density (MDD) of the two samples was also reduced by oil contamination with an increasing oil content exacerbating the reduction of MDD. It is therefore, recommended that care be taken during construction when dealing with clay soils within a potential crude oil contaminated region.
Abstract: Bayelsa state is the southernmost part of the crude oil prolific Niger Delta region of Nigeria where oil exploration and exploitation activities have resulted to the pollution of its land, water, and air. Most parts of the area have experienced crude oil contamination of one form or the other, and the effects on man and the ecosystem are wide rangi...
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