How Long Does A Modern Concrete Building Last?

Engr. Sylva Clem(CMD),Mecollin Nig. Ltd.

Needless to say, the world is gradually becoming one big concrete jungle. Innumerable concrete buildings are being constructed for residential as well as commercial purposes globally. Given that people pay a lot of money for them, a natural question to ask is how long these concrete structures or buildings will last.

Building materials play a big role in deciding the longevity of a concrete structure. There have been instances where concrete buildings not more than 20-30 years old have collapsed. However, there are cases where concrete buildings that were constructed 100-150 years back are still going strong without any kinds of damage or problems. Unfortunately, the fact that housing projects are being mass-produced today has resulted in countless buildings being constructed with inferior quality materials.

Since all concrete buildings look the same to the untrained eye, it is very difficult to ascertain how long any one will last without needing serious structural repairs. While some buildings will last for more than 50-60 years without problems, some will start developing problems after few years of construction.

The designs used in concrete buildings also play a part in how long they will last. If we examine some old structures, it becomes apparent that they have thick columns, beams and slabs that provide superior support to the building. In many of today’s concrete buildings being raised by developers who are more concerned with cost-cutting than delivering quality products, the slabs that are used are merely few inches thick.

Other than building materials and design, the longevity of a concrete building is also decided by the foundation. In concrete buildings that have lasted for 100 years or more, the foundation is deep and strong, set in ground soil that had been tested and confirmed for its ability to support heavy structures If the soil in a particular site is not strong enough, the foundation needs to go deeper so as to provide adequate anchorage and support.

Assuming that the developer has used a good building design by a qualified architect, that he has used good quality cement and steel, and that the foundation is adequate for the type of soil in the plot, a multi-storey apartment building will provide problem-free service for anything between 70-80 years or even longer.

Within this period, regular maintenance of the building’s structure will need to be carried out, which a responsible developer who considers himself accountable for his products will undertake as a matter of course.

A badly constructed building which falls into neglect after all the units are sold may not last for more than 35-40 years before developing serious faults, along with all related dangers to the occupants.

MAJOR CAUSES OF BUILDING FAILURE IN NIGERIA:-
1.Faulty Building Design By Quacks
2.Avoiding construction cost at the expense of strength stability
3. Overloading Of Building
4.No Structural Design
5.Breach Of Building Construction Specifications, Procedures and Methods Of Construction.
6. Unauthorised Conversion of Bungalow To Storey Building
7.Carelessness.
8.Poor workmanship due to lack of knowledge in material quality control
9.Poor supervision
10.Substandard building materials 11.Quackery ( e.g Use of Blocklayer in Place of Skilled Construction Engineer etc)
12.Noncompliance with approved building plan
13.Rainstorm etc

This guy is a quack that knows nothing about structural strength/durability/safety. He lacks the knowledge of BS codes and SCS

Construction that lacks quality. No SCS

Where is COREN, paper tiger piece of shit

Too many quacks in the construction industry in Nigeria Bro.

This is what happens in a nation where construction specifications, procedures and method of construction is been taken for granted. This is a warning to those who hire quack engineers to execute their jobs

Hello, which Construction and Specification code is backing this mix ratio of 1:3:3?

This is how we know the quack engineers, they don't following construction specifications

Block layers are note engineers, no engineer will accept this concrete mix ratio that is not specified by BS code or SCP or even ASTM. Ask the guy who started this thread to give you the targeted strength of this fake concrete mix on 7 and 28 days, whether he will note fumble around. If you need technical knowledge of quantity calculations, then add me on Facebook @ sylva clement. Thanks

Pls you can contact us for contemporary building architectural designs, cadastral survey, building construction, project management etc. We survey, design to taste and build to last at an affordable price anywhere within Nigeria at Mecollin Nig Ltd (RC.1037909).Certified Architects, Engineers, Planners, Surveyors and Cost Estimators. Contact us for your dream home today @ Okporo Roaf, Eliowhani ,Port Harcourt:-08106518787

Is there any builder from Calabar in the house. Please i want to make enqiries about construction process and cost in Calabar

Well done . You should have attached concrete covers to the pad footing reinforcement before placing it on the blinding

Good evening house. Please can anyone help me with the price per paint cup of ogbonor and cray fish in Kaduna metropolis?

Urgent, what is your current price for tecno T484?

Get your contemporary building architectural designs in Port Harcourt and beyond. We survey, design to taste and build to last at an affordable price anywhere within Nigeria at Mecollin Nig Ltd (RC 1073909).Certified Architects, Engineer, Planners, Surveyors and Cost Estimators. Contact us for your dream home today: 08106518787

Between 10million to 15 million depending on your location and finishing

Thanks for the enlightenment

K,thanks

Urgent pls

The app is programmed with mix ratios for concrete and mortar but there is space for mixes modification. It comes with concrete and mortar standard mixes.

All you need to do is to calculate the volume of the concrete member you want to cast and feed in the calculated volume into the app and you get accurate result

It is free , download it. I am ready to help if you encounter challenges using it

Hello Engineers and builders who find it difficult to calculate concrete volume and materials or mortar volume and materials in civil construction, simply download a trusted civil estimating app called " CIVIL SULTRA" from google play store and you will never regret using it.
It will give you volume of cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate for each propose concrete mix.
Download it and share your experience using the app with nairalanders

#1. Low Nutritional Value.

Instant noodles are extremely low in nutritional content, offering virtually nothing in the way of vitamins, minerals or fiber.

#2. High Sodium Content.

These convenience foods are high in sodium, which can cause kidney damage and an increased chance of strokes.

#3. High in Carbs.

Instant noodles are also loaded with unhealthy carbohydrates that can lead to weight gain, diabetes and heart disease.

#4. Cups of Chemicals.



The plastic cups that instant noodles come in are made from dioxin and other substances that resemble human hormones and that can be leached into the soup when hot water is added.

#5. MSG Flavoring.

Instant noodle seasonings are full of MSG (monosodium glutamate) which is known to cause ill effects in many people, from a flushed, burning sensation in the head and chest to headaches and bodily pain.

#6. Harmful Ingredients.



Propylene glycol, one of the same ingredients used in antifreeze, is also approved for use in instant noodles, as an agent to help keep the noodles from drying out.

#7. Obesity and Bowel Issues.

Because of all the extra fat and water retention that instant noodles can bring on, they can be a major contributor to irregular bowel movements, which is capable of causing not only major discomfort, but a whole host of issues deep in your gut.

#8. Artificial Additives.



Noodles use a lot of artificial flavors and colorings, as well as a lot of preservatives, and all of these ingredients can wreak havoc on your metabolic system, making it very difficult to lose weight.

#9. Risk of Delayed Development.

When instant noodles are eaten regularly by children under the age of five, they can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. This denial of nutrients creates a risk of delayed physical or mental progress in the child.

#10. Not Recommended for Pregnant Women.

There are reports out that eating a lot of instant noodles, especially early in your pregnancy, can inhibit the fetus’ ability to develop and lead to miscarriage. While this theory is still waiting for research to back it up, most doctors don’t recommend eating instant noodles regularly during pregnancy, simply for the fact that they are so lacking in nutrients.

WE WILL HELP YOU SACK YOUR LANDLORD, OWN A PLOT OF LAND AT THE FOLLOWING SERENE ENVIRONMENT:
Sunshine city estate, ASABA= 464sqm= @700k (10% discount on outright payment )
15 plots at Ifite Awka : 2m per plot=464sqm
Tehilla gardens phase, OWERRI= 464sqm=@1.8m (10% discount on outright payment )
Tehilla gardens, OGBAKU (IMO), Onitsha-Owerri rd= 464sqm= @2.5m(buy & build)
Immaculate gardens, PORT HARCOURT= 464sqm = @1.2m
(10% discount on outright payment )
AN INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE ENABLES YOU TO WORK LESS AND LESS, AND EARN MORE AND MORE.
#BRYTTHAPP_REALTORS
☎: 08106518787 for inquiries

APC = Advanced Professional Criminals

APC = Advanced Propaganda Criminals

Were are the APC fans ? Grin