Incidence of building collapse in Nigeria: Stakeholders perspective

Abstract

Buildings, like all structures, are designed to support and withstand certain loads without any deformity. The occurrence of building failure and collapse has become a common phenomenon and a major cause of concern in Nigeria today; the magnitudes of this incident are becoming very alarming and worrisome. Performance failure of any building can be induced by the failure of structural members, non-structural component (non-load-bearing elements) failures or components. Collapse in Buildings could be total or partial failure of one or more components of a building leading to the inability of the building to perform its principal function of safety and stability. A list comprising the causes of building failure/collapse was administered to stakeholders of whom they were expected to indicate the five (5) major factors causing of the collapse of building in their opinion. A list of 100 questionnaires was administered to each of the stakeholders. Upon analysis of the returned questionnaire supervision & poor workmanship and defective design, structure, dilapidation are the leading causes followed by substandard materials and equipment and next are incompetent contractors and illegal conversion/alterations.