IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON

CIVIL ENGINEERING
INFRASTRUCTURE
TEAM REDEEMERS
 Table of Contents
What is weather, climate, climate
Part 1:
change and infrastructure

Causes and Effect of climate change

Part 2:

Part 3: Effect of carbon emissions

Part 4: Effect of Rising Temperature

Part 5: Effect of climbing water levels

 PART 1

What is Weather, Climate, Climate

Change And Infrastructure
What is Weather and climate

Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a

particular place during a short period of
time.

While Climate on the other hand is the

average weather in a given area over a
longer period of time
What is Climate Change and Infrastructure

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in

temperatures and weather patterns.

Infrastructure refers to the basic facilities

and systems that help society function,
including buildings, roads, utilities and
other systems.
 PART 2

Causes and Effect of Climate Change

 WHAT CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE

Nigeria, the largest exporter of crude oil in Africa, undoubtedly

contributes significantly to the total amount of greenhouse gases
produced in Africa.
Nigeria's leading cause of climate change is burning fossils – such
as coal, oil, and gas – to produce energy, power, transportation,
and other human activities.
 EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Three major effects of climate change that affect civil engineering
infrastructure are:

Effect of carbon emmisons Effect of Rising Temperature Effect of climbing

01 02 03
water levels
 PART 3

Carbon Emission and Civil Engineering

Infrastructure
 HOW DOES CO2 AFFECT STRUCTURES?

Carbon dioxide is a weak acidic gas that, when

dissolved in water, hydrates to form carbonic acid
(H2CO3), which causes corrosion.
Corrosion occurs when most or all atoms on the
same metal surface are oxidized, damaging the
entire surface.
Bar Chart Showing Carbon Emissions in Nigeria (1986-2020)

Source: African Journal of Economics and Sustainable

Development (2021)
EFFECTS OF CORROSION ON CIVIL
ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE

Reinforced Concrete Spalling

When steel is cast into concrete, the naturally
high alkalinity helps to protect the embedded
steel from corrosion. However, the protection
afforded by high alkalinity can be
compromised by the ingress of acidic
atmospheric gases, a process normally
referred to as Carbonation.
EFFECTS OF CORROSION ON CIVIL ENGINEERING
INFRASTRUCTURES

Weakens Structural Integrity Maintenance Costs

Corrosion can weaken infrastructure such as bridges, Regular inspections, repairs, and corrosion control can
buildings, and pipelines, leading to reduced load- be costly for managing and mitigating corrosion.
bearing capacity and posing safety risks to the public. Maintenance expenses are a significant burden on
infrastructure budget
EFFECTS OF CORROSION ON CIVIL ENGINEERING
INFRASTRUCTURES

Aesthetic Issues Reduced Functionality

Rust and deterioration on the surface of
Corrosion can impair the functionality of
infrastructural elements like bridges and infrastructure components
buildings, impacts their appearance and the
overall aesthetics of the area.
PREVENTION OF CORROSION ON STEEL
REINFORCEMENT

Applying Protective Coatings 04 Proper Storage and

01
Handling

Corrosion
02 Cathode Protection 05
Inhibitors

03 Regular Inspection
and Maintenance Education And
06
training
 PART 4

Effect of Rising Temperature on Civil

Infrastructure
 Thermal Expansion of Civil Engineering
Materials

Anyone in the construction industry knows

thermal expansion is a significant factor
when working with any building material.

Thermal expansion is a physical

phenomenon in which materials expand
when heated.
Thermal Expansion in Wood

CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Wood is a hygroscopic material that absorbs
and desorbs moisture from the atmosphere.
This can cause wood to swell and shrink
depending on the humidity in the air. This can
cause the material to warp or crack over time.

PREVENTION AND SOLUTION

• Choose the Right Species
• Store Correctly
• Install to Account for Changes
• Always use Treated Timber
Thermal Expansion in Concrete

CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Concrete expands slightly as temperature rises
and contracts as temperature falls.
Problems develop in massive structures where
heat cannot be dissipated..

Thermal contraction on the concrete’s surface

without a corresponding change in its interior
temperature will cause cracking
 PREVENTION THERMAL EXPANSION IN CONCRETE

Use of steel and PVA fibers Uses of Joints

Fiber-reinforced concrete has more tensile strength when Joints are the most effective way to control cracking.
compared to non-reinforced concrete. It increases the joints are grooved, formed, or sawed into sidewalks,
concrete's durability. It reduces crack growth. Fiber-reinforced driveways, pavements, floors, and walls so that cracking will
concrete improves resistance against freezing and thawing. occur in these joints rather than randomly.
Effets of Thermal Expansion in Asphaltic Pavements

Cracks in Asphaltic Pavements Melting of Asphaltic Pavements

PREVENTION OF THERMAL EXPANSIONS ON ASPHALTIC
PAVEMENTS

• Proper design/construction,
• Speed restrictions,
• Improved inspection,
maintenance and repairs,
• Improve sensing and warning
systems,
• Provision of road cooling systems
 PART 5

Effect of Increase in Rainfall And Climbing Water

Levels
 EFFECT OF INCREASE IN RAINFALL AND RISING WATER
LEVELS.

Effects on Structures Effects on Transportation Systems

• Structural Damage • Landslides

• Foundation Instability • Erosion of Road Surfaces
• Interior Damage and Mold Growth • Damaged Railroads
• Electrical and Mechanical System • Bridge and Culvert Damage:
Damage
PEOPLE STRANDED ON A HALF- MOTORCYCLE TAXIS TRYING TO DODGE
SUBMERGED POTHOLES AFTER
SUBMERGED ROAD IN KOGI, A
RAINFALL IN LAGOS, ON SEPT. 12
CENTRAL STATE, ON OCT. 6.
A WOMAN WEEPING IN A FLOODED
STREET IN ANAMBRA, ONE OF THE
WORST-AFFECTED STATES.
CARS, MINIBUSES AND TRUCKS
CARRYING GOODS JOSTLED TO TRAVERSE
AN UNFLOODED PATCH OF ROAD AFTER
THE BENUE RIVER BROKE ITS BANKS IN
THE CITY OF LOKOJA ON OCT. 13.
 PREVENTION OF FLOODING IN NIGERIA

Improve flood Improve drainage

protection systems

Culverts Improved
 Summary

Bjoern Surborg

“Building true resilience to climate change requires much more than a few changes to
our systems and infrastructure. It requires a holistic transition, addressing every aspect
of our lives and allowing us to learn, how to live with uncertainty”
 Our Team

AZEEZ
ADEBUSUYI ADEDAYO EDU AISHA OLUWADEMILADE OLUWAFEMI
OLUWANISHOLA
STUDENT MEMBER OBISAKIN OLUWADARA
PRESIDENT VICE- PRESIDENT
STUDENT MEMBER STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Thank you!