₦airaland Forum

Well done all...

Late?? Better late thou.......

Reducing the block was a necessity at the backside...

But what remedy was done to the right where the wall had obviously given way? And can we be sure double block is sufficient?

Is there need to fill with weak concrete or introduce a tie beam since you're making provision for columns?

Weldone again...

4ckTOTO:
This is why I am so scared to buy all these ready built houses. You guys are too economical with cement

Welcome - you can search and read up my post here; thank me later .. lol

rotecch77:
It's a terrible situation.

The owner contacted us some days ago to see how we can reconstruct the foundation with friendly cost.
Thanks God we agreed on a reasonable fee.

Here are some pics I took when I visited the site
I will open a tread for the project

Work stated at site few days ago

great - you can tag me when you start and open the thread........ lets remedy this.... congrats also on the contract...

Part of the modification I suggested is pulling down some of the standing walls; they're showing signs of weakness and / or collapse...

I took my Free Consultation to a high...

I visited the site discussed in this thread (In Ikorodu).

I have given the Nairaland owner my honest opinion, its really bad of the contractor to work that way....... I would be visiting again to give methodologies for correcting...

Thanks

tabithababy:
I need a self con in gbagada

rent? That's not my field

Wagasigiungu:
Though I am a noob when it comes to construction, it is glaring there are no columns in this build. I couldn't even locate a single one. Who does such. The owner of the building is also blameworthy albeit a little. It is imperative we read to know the basics of home construction and ask questions about our building projects. He who asks is guided aright. We should Learn to be very inquisitive in such matters.

I pray the owner bounces back and gets it right next time. Its better the foundation collapsed now than after completion of the building (if it hasn't yet been completed)

Thanks for the prayers and show of concern..... I'm sure he wld bounce back, it hasn't been completed - the owner is also reading.... thanks

joycluv:
Waiting patiently for your response on this

morning, these questions are not technical but let me attempt them.

1. How many persons can lift one = Depending on the size of window 2, 3 or 4.
2. Is it with bare hands or what? = Builders' choice - but we used bare hands
3. What will hold the men up = Scaffolds or a wooden platform, the same thing that would hold the men up when setting blocks above hand level or casting the conventional lintel
4. What if it falls and breaks = Just like any other building component, replace it.

I hope its 4/4

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

Evening Followers.

Kindly check out my latest post here >> https://www.nairaland.com/5002180/what-did-he-wrong-why#75413259

Thanks

edimalo:
Obviously the foundation wasn't done right. Apart from being too high, the filling wasn't done well. Too much force against the external wall made it to collapse.

You can add a new foundation wall internally around the foundation at th back to give the external some support . Note that this wall will not go above the current 5 courses of blockwall.

A beam has to be done and columns introduced.

Could still be salbavegd.

Thanks for your submission.. I also think at this stage, the columns and beam is inevitable to help reinforce the weak structure... Unfortunately one man's mistake would mean more being spent..

Thanks

Finesing:
Do you have like a blog or site for your property/building ish?
I spent the better part if yesterday and today reading and taking notes from all your property/building topics.
I'm still yearning to read and learn more.

Oh and thanks
Me and a lot of people are grateful for your good work.

May you work and never stumble.

I typed out a longer essay as a response but most contained private info so if you don't mind, can I email you?

Thanks sir... I have a blog but I discovered blogging on NL is easier for me... I've not updated my blog in a long while..

My email is cadsolutions2009@gmail.com.. I'll send you my WhatsApp nos if you mail me.

I'll also reply ur NL mail..

legend

joycluv:
Plz,how did you lift the pre-cast lintel

man power

Good Day my NL followers,

A few days back, one of my active followers here, sent me pictures of his site work which had gotten to filling level, it was obvious (from an experienced view) that his workers/supervisors were doing something wrong, it was obvious the building would collapse if continued - I would be discussing what was done wrong and why the structure eventually gave way - Let's all learn to avoid waste of fund and human life.

1. Foundation: In Pics 1 & 2, it is obvious the foundation was shallow; There are 5 courses of blocks in the foundation, and all 5 are easily seen in both pics, this is a proof that the foundation was shallowly dug - the standard on a good/firm soil is 900mm and where the ground is so firm that you can't get to 900mm (3 feet), then make sure you dig 600mm. This allows some of the block to be rooted in the ground and reduce surface area to be supported by filling.

2. Sub-Structure: If you've been reading my thread on foundation - I've always advised that you have nothing less than 4 courses, so shouldn't 5 courses be an advantage? the answer is NO...... because that would mean having more forces pushing in one direction and no force to counter it on the opposing side ESPECIALLY WHERE THE FOUNDATION IS SHALLOW hence a collapse. Note that, should there be need to go above 4 courses (most times because of sloping land, then short columns or top beam or both should be considered and introduced.

3. Why Did This Foundation Collapse?: Immediately I saw the pictures sent to me, I told him the structure would likely collapse, so I advised him to fill the foundation before doing any other work (as most people because of limited fund, continue building without filling) - The proper construction method is to fill, wet and compact properly, then do your German floor before the Super-Structure.

After filling the foundation, the 1st rain and what I got was picture 3 and 4; so what went wrong?

3a. The foundation was shallow - we have discussed this in 1 above.

3b. The foundation was too high - In my discussion with the client, he noted that the front of the building didn't have 5 courses but only 3. This means the builder was trying to have a level foundation, NOPE - The appropriate thing to do would have been to have stepped down back to 3 courses as he approaches the lower part of the building, this reduces the volume of filling required and also reduces the earth force acting on the walls.

3c. The filling was not done in layers - From the pictures shared (pics 4), you would notice some of the internal walls also collapsed; THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED EVEN IF THE JOB WAS DONE THE WAY, IT WAS - ONLY THE EXTERNAL WALLS SHOULD HAVE COLLAPSED. So, why did the internal walls collapse? we would deal with this in No 4 below.

4. Filling: Ensure that filling is done in layers, and where two sides of a wall are to be filled, both should be done concurrently, what the supervisor/builder should have done is fill 300mm on one side, then fill 300mm on the other side, then compact. He then returns to fill another 300mm on one side and then 300mm on the opposite side, then compact - what we're doing is making sure that if forces on one side try to push the block to collapse, the force on the other side resist that happening by equally pushing back. If this was done, even thou the construction method in the shared pics was wrong, ONLY THE EXTERNAL WALLS WOULD COLLAPSE, because there is definitely no force to help sustain it.

5. Get the right guy on site: The fact he has been building for 20, 30 years or before we were born isn't a guaranty he would build right, you need a trusted/experienced person making sure (even if it's once every 2 weeks) making sure the right thing is done.


Thanks and remember it might cost you more to get a supervisor, but it would cost the most to rebuild if something goes wrong....

Special Appreciate to the Nairalander for allowing me to use his site as a Case Study. Let's go build this now.


GOODLUCK.

Finesing:
I've been reading all your posts one by one and I'm so grateful
O have a question tho
Can someone who is building a duplex use this same cost saving method?
Or it's only for this type of project?
Thanks.

Its even better for duplex...... My property is one, and that's what I used..

Thanks for reading my post

dubuntu:
very interesting topic! and I love the simplicity I n your explanation.
I want to ask: if you're using a pad foundation, what happens to the rest o the wall foundation? do you just lay blocks from the floor or do you use a sort of strip foundation for the rest of the wall?

Any of the two methods you mentioned above could be used, depending on what you're building and the structural design type also depends on the material to be used in construction...

thanks for the positive comments.

Nbg4real:
good job oga saydfact. pls what is the measurement of the rooms, kitchen, dinning and living? thanks.

I cant answer right away - But all spaces are standard or more..

BEAUTIFUL

edimalo:
Apart from the Kebbi Guber issues, the CJN might not be veryyy clean which they are using against him.

My advice, let him pack his stuffs and leave. He's tainted already

I'll advise he hangs on......... If this administration loses the election... He's a free man.. Almost certainly..