KJSET Volume. 2, Issue 2 (2023)

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Contributor(s)

M. Caleb, K. A. Olonade and M. M. Lawan
 

Keywords

Kampala district Building collapses Nondestructive test Uganda Engineering properties
 

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Evaluating The Causes of Building Collapse in Kampala District, Uganda

Abstract: Building collapse have become a recurring problem in urban areas, including Kampala District, Uganda. This study has evaluated the causes of building collapse in Kampala District and identified the underlying factors contributing to these disasters. A comprehensive investigation was conducted, encompassing the examination of collapsed buildings, assessment of construction practices, and analysis of construction materials using nondestructive testing (NDT). Field inspections, interviews with stakeholders, questionnaire administration and data analysis were employed to gather relevant information. The findings highlight several key causes, such as poor construction quality, lack of adherence to building codes, and inadequate supervision during construction. Two sites in the study area were examined thoroughly by laboratory experiments on the soil samples and evaluation of the strength properties of the building elements. Results obtained from the experimental investigation showed that the soil collected from case study one possessed inadequate engineering properties with AASHTO classification of A-7 with liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limit results of 51.7, 25.9 and 11.7 respectively, and OMC of 16.14% and MDD of 1.930 g/cm3 which indicated a silty clay soil. Moreover, the results for the soil samples collected from case two showed satisfactory strength performance with AASHTO classification of A-2-7, Atterberg results which showed 10.7%, 14.5%, and 45.4% were obtained for linear shrinkage, plastic and liquid limits respectively. Also, 9.7% and 2.168 g/cm3 was also obtained for the OMC and MDD respectively. Additionally, issues related to substandard materials and unstable foundation conditions were identified with strength properties of the distressed building evaluated using NDT showed average compressive strength of 5 N/mm2. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of robust building regulations, proper construction practices, and increased public awareness to mitigate building collapses and enhance structural safety in Kampala District.
 
 
 

KIU Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology (KJSET) -- ISSN: 2958-0641, 2024