ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING

FAILURES IN KENYA:
NAIROBI CASE STUDY
ALUORA KENNETH
E25-0707/05
JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND
TECHNOLOGY
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: ENG. MANG’URIU
CHAPTER1. INTRODUCTION
Buildings are structures that shelter human beings,
their properties and activities from the environment.
Several building codes are universally accepted for the
design and construction of buildings.
Failure is a great deviation between observed results
and expected results.
There are several cases of building failures that have
been witnessed in Nairobi.
PROBLEM STATEMENT AND JUSTIFICATON
Corruption and fraud The construction
play a major role in industry has massive
building failures in capital inflows whereby
Nairobi. corruption is feasible.
Other causes include Rules and regulations
lack of funds, tendency have to be followed to
for shortcuts, lack of avoid building code
knowledge of the public violations
and placing trust in
unqualified individuals.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
The primary objective is to assess the failure of
buildings in terms of design and construction.
The secondary objective is to find out the structural
and non-structural causes of building failure.
CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
A building may either be defined in terms of its height
or occupancy.
In terms of height we have low rise buildings that go
up to 12 floors or 35 meters and high rise buildings that
go > 12 floors.
In terms of occupancy we find buildings for residence,
commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.
Causes of Failure.
Structurally, building failure is caused by bad design,
faulty construction, foundation failure, extra ordinary
loads, unexpected failure or a combination of the
listed.
Non structural causes include corruption, boycotting
professionals, contractors taking shortcuts and a
general conflict between the architects and structural
engineers.
Study Area. Nairobi
A case study was done on Nairobi district.
The settlement structure of Nairobi district is urban.
Some of the challenges facing Nairobi district are rural
urban migration, population growth and poverty.
These challenges contribute to erection of sub-
standard structures.
Main type of soil is black cotton which is not suitable
for construction.
CHAPTER 3. METHODOLGY
Data collection was in the form of documentation
from reports.
Well structured questionnaires were also distributed
to the building team.
In depth interviews were also done on chosen
professionals.
Finally there was a study of photos.
CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS.
In situ studies of the failures may not be possible as
the rubble has to be cleared out.
Time constraints and financial constraints due to the
large coverage of the topic.
Study of building failures is a sensitive topic.
CHAPTER 4: DATA
COLLECTION AND RESULTS.
4.1 Documentation from reports
FAILURE DURING LIFE
STAGE (SUNBEAM)
 Structurally the failure was
due to collapse of the trusses
due to rot and decay and
overoad of the canopy by silt,
leaves and debris
 The motar used was poor and
the gable wall lacked
adequate stiffeners.
 Non structurally it was due to
lack of maintenance by The
Council and Proprietors.
FAILURE DURING
CONSTRUCTION STAGE(KIAMBU)
 Structurally the failure was due
to poor materials. Concrete
had a strength of 8N/mm2 and
the masonry blocks, a crushing
strength of 2.1N/mm2.
 Non structurally the failure
was due to quack involvement,
lack of Eng. Details and
unprofessionalism in
demolition.
4.2 Study of photos
Photos showing imminent Photo showing ignored By
failure Laws
 Fig. 1  Fig. 2
4.3. Administered Questionnaires
For Engineers
For Architects
4.4 Interviews
Semi structural interviews were used with open ended
questions.
What was discussed was the views of the building
industry, witnessed causes of failure and mitigation
measures.
CHAPTER 5. Data analysis
5.1 From Reports
Sunbeam collapse
 Corruption of local
authorities
 Loop holes in the by laws
Kiambu collapse
 Lack of engineering details
 Unprofessional method of
demolition
5.2 From study of photos
Showing structural failure Miscelaneous photos
 Workmanship  Industry malpractice
 Material failure  Ignored by laws.
 Professionalism
5.3 Questionnaire analysis
Engineers
 Top 3 reasons are:
construction sequence not
consistent with design
considerations, failure to have
qualified person in charge
and failure to follow rules
resulting in negligence.
 This states that design should
be followed to the latter on
site
Architects
 The top three reasons are
failure to use specified
materials, unauthorized
modifications and lack of
proper inspections.
 This states that the poor
materials may render a design
null and void.
5.4 Analysis from interviews
Engineers
 Work going too fast (curing
of concrete members)
 Scattered legislation albeit
solid.
 Improper quality checks in
material and
works(evaluation)
 Understaffed Local
authorities
Architects
 Shortage of qualified
contractors
 Cutting of corners by
material manufacturers
 Low quality and repetitive use
of form work.
 Outdated building code that
needs to be revised to cater
for space limitations
CHAPTER 6. Conclusions and
recommendations
Malpractice is due to the natural tendency of human
beings to cut corners in the case of encountered
complexities
Recommendations are that other players in the
building industry should be included in further works.
These include the contractor, developer, Local
authorities and the public.
God bless mankind.