Causes And Minimization Techniques Of Materials Waste In Nigerian Construction Process.
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Date
2009
Authors
Oladiran O.J.
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Publisher
Fifth International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-V), Turkey
Abstract
A major characteristic of average construction sites in Nigeria is the presence waste materials in various forms and large quantities. This culminates to inter alia, high construction costs and great hindrance to affordability of good houses to the citizens. In this regard, a survey research was embarked on; it focuses on identifying the causes of materials waste incidence and their various minimization techniques in Nigerian construction process. The population of the study is the construction professionals in selected firms in Nigeria. It involves the usage of a designed questionnaire administered via convenience sampling technique. Certain predetermined causes coined from literatures are included in the questionnaire while open-ended questions are employed to elicit the actual materials waste minimization techniques in the firms. Descriptive statistics tools are used to analyze the data. The study reveals causes of materials waste as: uneconomical shape of materials and components due to design; building failure/defects; workers’ mistakes; theft; vandalism; inconclusive specifications; estimators’ errors; ineffective communication; unfamiliarity with alternative products; design changes; lack of proper supervision; loading and unloading of materials; various forms of materials’ packaging; substandard materials; poor site layout; misinterpretation of drawings; poor site conditions; setting out errors; and improper transportation of materials. It also sheds light on the materials waste minimization techniques as: materials inspections on arrival on sites; documentations of materials in and outflows; adherence to design details; effective communications; good transportation systems for materials; good storage facilities; training of storekeepers/site personnel; reuse of materials; daily stock taking; usage of materials requisition booklets; ensuring sub-soil investigations before projects commence; and regular site meetings. Conclusions are made based on these findings in the study. However, the study recommends that practitioners should employ all the techniques discovered in the study to minimize materials waste in their projects. This study will therefore contribute to materials waste minimization both in Nigerian and global construction processes.
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Citation
1. Oladiran, O J. (2009). Causes and minimization techniques of materials waste in Nigerian construction process. Collaboration and Integration in Engineering, Management and Technology, May 20-22, Istanbul, Turkey.