NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY

SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
 
  
RESEACH PROPOSAL ON
CAUSES OF DAMPNESS IN BUILDING
  
SUBMITTED BY:
AUDU PETER SUKU
NDAPGS/FET/CLE/042022/P08964
 
 
LECTURER
DR. JOHN E. SANI
 
 
MAY, 2023
INTRODUCTION

This research proposal seeks to investigate the courses of

Dampness in building. The study aims to identify the best way of
preventing dampness and purpose of improvement of building
against dampness. Some building does deteriorate as a result of
dampness at a more or less predictable rate. This is depending
on rate of contact with moisture. Dampness is the wetting of
building or structural element through moisture when repairs
become necessary or mandatory becose occupant and material
inside the structure are affected.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Over the years there have been a number of cases of building collapse in different part of
Nigeria. This collapse of building are attributed to the following.
- poor construction, deterioration of the building material, improper checked of
dampness has contributed to the building failure.
Dampness is the presence of hydroscopic or gravitational moisture in building .dampness
gives rise to unhygienic condition apart from reduction in strength of structural
component of a building. Dampness prevention is therefore one of the important item of
building design every building should be dam proof.

The construction industry has experienced high rate of dampness and deterioration in
building among which lack of using DPM damp proof membrane materials in construction
with the ability to stop the passage of moisture.
Provision of dam proof cause is prevent the entry of moisture in the building because one
of the basic requirement of building is that, it should remain dry or free from moisture
travelling through the walls, roofs or floor.
The occurrence of dampness in building may occur due to poor
design, faulty construction method and use of poor quality of
material. Dampness not only effect the life span of the building
adversely hence treatment to check dampness is considered to
be one of the important aspect of work in construction of a
building. The treatment is given to prevent leakage of water
from roof is generally term as water proofing where as the
treatment given to keep the walls floors and basement dry is
termed as damp proofing. Dampness in building is a defect
which occur most a time unexpected; those that were not fore
seen and before or during the design and construction of the
structure. In other to preserve the original building’s special
consideration should be taken before and during construction.
JUSTIFICATION
Making investigation on the causes of dampness on
building with mud and san-Crete blocks becomes is
necessary.
The significant of this research is to check the reasons
of building collapse which is attribute to poor
construction.
 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
• The aim of this research is to investigate the causes of
dampness on mud and sand-crete building
OBJECTIVES
To recognize and identify the causes of dampness in building
To identify the effect of dampness in building
To known whether proper damp proof course membrane
(DPC)/ (DPM) is used at the foundation or floor level.
Administer questionnaires to residents of such buildings to a
surface the extent of damage of the moistures
Analyze data gotten from the responders and suggest ways of
reducing the effect of dampness in building
 Literature Review
Author Title Year Key Findings
Chris Sanders. “the complete guide to damp, 2012
condensation and mold

John Bower “Understanding dampness 2013

Barry Richarson Dampnesss in buildings: Professional 2008  

guide to Diagnosis and Treatement
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology for this research shall involve; field
observation physical survey, questionnaire
administration and investigation of the capillary action
at the various material used in the construction.