₦airaland Forum

doncaster: Oga brabus pls i sent you email.

I've replied your mail.

Aventures: Oga Brabus, let us try and be professional> Do not forget there is what we called Integrity test in engineering, such as Load test Non Destructive test (NDT), PUNDIT, smicht hammer test, odeometer test and a whole of test to determine the integrity of a building, That a building is standing is not an evidence that the integrity is sound. Most collapse building did not collapse immediately after construction but after being subjected to several pressure and use. As a matter of fact there is an expiry date for all structures, like in UAE their Government is responsible for pulling down safely every expired building, building is not to last for eternity but the building should be safe all through it life expectancy and even when building expires it wont just collapse but it will show several signs of distress for a very long period in other for the people to know that it is time they either re-fortify the building or pull it down for re-build. Now that your client is calling for way out please let us do something now because we are all answering the man's clarion call "let's build this house together". As for me from structural engineering point of view, there is cause for alarm over the six inches bloc used, fill it solid with weak concrete. Work on your columns and ensure they are all at least 230 mm x 230 mm, if need be work on the mat and increase the concrete of the base. and run a capping beam. If need be you may call for a review of the bill. The earlier something is done the better for both of you and the future of this project. shallom

Thanks once again. The reason I posted the pictures above wasn't because I want to justify the use of 6in block but just to let us know that houses doesn't collapse because it was built with 6in block. It collapses when it was badly engineered. A 7 floor building belonging to one of the leading new generation bank in Lagos was pulled down cos it was badly engineered. However, discussions are ongoing with the client and we will do our best to make sure the foundation is substantial for the proposed development. Not only that, I think a new structural drawing should be made to reflect all the changes.

The House has been plastered

jaydacorsair: @Brabus I am back to this thread. Please what can be done to fortify this house....... and make it last the taste of time.

Let's do the capping beam as Sir Aventures suggested. Loads will be transmitted to the beam instead of the blocks.

Finished Roof (Oct 26, 2012)

Roofing Woodwork (Oct 20, 2012)

Oct 16, 2012

Upper Floor (Oct. 10 - 11, 2012)

Upper Floor Block Work (Oct. 10, 2012)

Reinforcement (Oct 5, 2012)

Oct 4, 2012

Formwork

Pls check well! It is still 6in

First Floor Formwork (Oct 1, 2012)

Walls up

Walls Up (Sept. 24 - 25, 2012)

DPC and Block laying

Filling works

Did I hear collapse? WHY? Because it wasn't a raft or pile or what?

Here is a timeline picture of a similar project we did between September to October 2012 for another Nairalander in diaspora. I can give the address for you all to check the integrity of the structure and mind you we used gravel as against using the GRANITE.

Project Cost: N3.8m (Foundation - Roofing)

valacious: If am not mistaken,this guys name is michael and his surname is adebolajo, but throughout this article the british media repeatedly referred to him as adebolajo, a subtle way of emphasizing 'he isn't part of us'. British media hypocrisy!

Michael Adebolajo is a British-Nigerian!

He's having multiple citizenship and also have dual loyalty, hence the reason he's acting contrary to the British government's interests.

Of course dual citizenship possess serious security concerns: foreign influence and foreign preference. Take for instance, an Aboki born, bread and buttered in the east will always remain an Aboki. If you doubt this, ask people living in Sagamu, Ogun state.

Father and Mother are Nigerian immigrants in the UK and yet some dumb people continues to claim he's a British. SMH!

diordaves: It is not clients that demand foundation type but the properties of the soil. When you say clients "demand" you make it sound like its some kind of dress fashion where clients can "demand" slim fit or regular size. Most clients do not know the technical implications and so are not in any position to "demand". One cannot just impose an arbitrary foundation type just because one loves it with a passion. The question we should ask is if the architectural drawing was signed off by a qualified and experienced Structural Engineer. And again if it was approved by the "Town Planning Authorities". If yes (qualified and experience) the client should not worry overtly: the work is fine. But if the client is not too sure about the integrity of the principle actors; then he should worry.

I may be wrong but I have noticed that the building professionals from the Western Parts of the country have a passion (Chekitaut et al) for Hollow Blocks. It is of small advise to use good quality solid blocks for ground floors and then maybe hollow block from first floor to reduce the load.Small consolation but it helps.

I know its controversial and without evidence or scientific basis but can this passion for hollow blocks (even for foundation) be one of the reasons there is a high level of building collapse in Lagos - Ibadan - Ogun axis? Now we talk of filling the void with slurry to stabilize the foundation. Why not kuku use solid blocks from start? The Foundation has gone up to about Three Coaches already and the possibility to fill ALL the hollow has been missed.

In my view, I think the drawings were actually lifted (copied) and the architect only modified (shrink the building size) the architectural drawings to fit the land. Otherwise, it should have been 9" block all the way.

Worse still, the Structural and M&E drawings were actually showing 3 floors when the building itself is having only 2 floors.

Just as Sir Jamesqu said, he'd (the architect) have work without the building plan to conceal the errors and there's no way we can know if he's doing it right or wrong. As per the quote, there won't be much difference but the quality of the work is what we should really think of.

_________
Granite price in PH is not smiling at all. We buy 30 ton @ N220k. Lowest price you can get.

Aventures: Exception to this (that is where the block resist the lateral forces only) is when there is a capping beam on all the foundation blocks connected to the starter columns, in that wise the load from the slab is transmitted to the beam and to the column and therefore having nothing to do with the fdn blocks.

Option 3 - Capping Beam

Thanks Bro.

Progress Pictures

segcy.moor:
Confused! But this client claim the Architect that produce the drwg,whom stated 6' block is the same guy that quoted for 9' block. Can we conclude that the guy made mistake in d drwg and put things right for practical purpose. Now, the new 'contractor' with due respect, do u recommend 6' block for foundation!

Sir, the ARCON stamped drawing is fraught with lot of errors. The only thing we can do here is to sit down with the client to discuss the challenges and make amends. We have two options here

1. Fill the 6" block with concrete
2. Double the wall

We need to build walls that can resist the lateral (horizontal) forces on the house due to ground shift. It isn't too late to right the wrong.

Bizaga: Hmmmmmmm...... my fisrt post here, glad I am not the only peson with eye problem. @oga builder, what happened to make you change from the agreed block size wey i see for first page to this smaller one? i no know book o!

We didn't just change. The drawing specified 6". You can take a look at the drawings on the first page once again.

segcy.moor:
I hope I can see clearly. Is this not 6' block for foundation?. or may be that is their style over their.

Your eyes no dey deceive you sir.

Panoramic View

Walls going up

Foundation wall going up

And Now

Happening Now

Blinding Continues