Promoting best practices in building construction; adverse effects of substandard materials & poor labour

workmanshipMay 26, 2015

Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria Plc……… Overview

WAPCO Operations is the operational business of Lafarge Africa Plc and is driving excellence in Nigeria's building industry, placing innovation at the heart of its priorities, working for sustainable construction and architectural creativity.

WAPCO Operations has three plants - one in Sagamu and two in Ewekoro with a current production capacity of 4.5 million metric tonnes. The Company's objective of increasing the availability of cement to Nigerians as well as assisting in achieving the Federal Government's drive for affordable housing for all is our major drive. WAPCO Operations has made immense investments in supporting Nigeria's socio-economic development.

Over the years, WAPCO Operations has acquired strategic visible presence in the business environment whilst building a visible and enduring legacy on the nation's individual landscape. WAPCO Operations continues to have tremendous positive impact on its numerous stakeholders: Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Employees.

In Lafarge ….. We have a commitment to safety

Building Collapse & construction root cause

…….Poor construction methods and workmanship is responsible for failures of building and structures

The poor construction methods is due and workmanship is caused

Negligence

Poor and inadequate quality control at construction site

The poor construction practice is manifested in various forms:

Poor construction

Incorrectly made

construction joints

Incorrect steel placement

Inadequate reinforcement

cover

Grout leakage Poor compaction

Segregation

Poor curing

Inadequate reinforcement

cover

Incorrect Steel Placement

Can result into inadequate cover

Corrosion of reinforcement

If bars are wrongly placed collapse may occur

Inadequate reinforcement cover

Ingress of moisture, gases and other substances

Cracking of concrete

Incorrectly made construction joint

• Main faults in joints are due to poor construction & compactment

• Old concrete should be washed, a layer of new concrete laid before pouring is continued

Good Construction joints should allow for expansion

Grout leakage

This occurs where formwork do not fit together

This results in a porous area of concrete with little or no cement

All joints should be properly sealed

Poor compaction

Bad compactment Honey-comb concrete

Complete compaction is essential to give a dense, impermeable concrete

Concrete Segregation

Segregation results in uneven concrete texture, or porous concrete in some cases

Correcting building collapse through best practices Stringent penalties should be applied for those responsible for collapse of buildings, particularly

when loss of lives is involved.

Town Planning Authorities should be adequately staffed and equipped with professionals in the construction industry. For effective monitoring of projects during and after construction.

Continuing professional development should be emphasized by both the professional bodies and the government on modern trends in the building industry. To keep members of the building industry abreast with new trends in construction.

Government should provide an enabling law for the training, and effective control of artisans and craftsmen in the building industry.

Government should screen those getting involved in housing projects. For any structure more than a bungalow, a structural engineer must be involved.

Construction work should only be carried out by registered contractors and supervised by registered architects, engineers and builders rather than engaging unskilled contractors.

A regular audit of defective structures must be carried out and such structures marked for demolition should be demolished before it causes havoc on lives and properties.

Government at all levels should intensify public enlightenment, placing emphasis on how building disasters could be prevented rather than managing situations which might be costlier.

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Product Offering:

• Consistent Quality• Readily Available• Assurance

(heritage)

• Consistent Quality• Low heat of hydration• Cost saving • Reduced block breakages• Quicker turnaround• Readily Available

• Consistent Quality• Excellent strength at all ages• Lower heat of hydration

(reduced cracking)• High workability• Smoother surface finish• Environmental friendly ( less

co2 emission)

Sulphate Resistant Cement

…….a brand of impeccable standard. Resonates quality, power, maturity, resilience, durability and reliability. It has consistently won the NIS Certificate for product quality by the Nigerian Standard Organisation for over two decades now.

• Longer setting time, • Slow strength gain and self-

healing• Extended working time• Suitability for different soil

conditions• Long term strength

2 tonnes jumbo bags

30 tonnes truck

• Assurance against Sulphate attack

• High compressive strength• Low heat of hydration• Significantly improved

leakage & concrete strength

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