Why Buildings collapse and how to avoid it

Categories: Architecture
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About Course

‘Because of Buildings not being tied properly’
Course Description
The structure of buildings; How buildings stand up; Anchoring of buildings into the ground in various materials; Importance of foundation; rigidity in the structure; how loads are transferred within the structure; where weaknesses occur; the importance of material quality; How materials acquire weakness; mixing of concrete and its importance; curing and its importance; checking the quality of material; good workmanship; importance of involving professionals.

Goals

  • The purpose of this course is to deliver sufficient knowledge to builders to prevent buildings from collapsing while under construction by highlighting and explaining the main causes of collapse.
  • The course also aims to sensitize builders on the role of professional consultants and the critical moments when their input must be sought.

Target learners

The target audience for the course are people involved in site work. This course is especially targeted at site managers, site supervisors, foremen, clerks of works. However the course is appropriate for all people who are involved in any way with the process of building but have not undergone a formal training programme. The course is delivered in simple language suitable for those who need to understand basic principles of the building process.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

  1. Explain how buildings are able to stand up
  2. Understand the critical points for alertness in the building process to avert later dangers.
  3. Understand the critical moments that must be referred to professionals to minimize the risks of bad decisions.

Course Structure
SESSION 1. INTRODUCTION

  1. How are buildings anchored?
  2. Structure composition
  3. Loads types and transfer
  4. Site selection and Foundations
  5. Joinery (welding, nailing)

SESSION 2. THE STRUCTURE OF A BUILDING

  1. How buildings stand up
  2. Anchoring of buildings into the ground in various materials;
  3. Rigidity in the structure;
  4. Where weaknesses occur;

SESSION 3. FOUNDATIONS

  1. Importance of foundation;
  2. Types of foundation
  3. Type of soil
  4. Differential settlements

SESSION 4. LOADS

SESSION 5. MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS/QUALITY

  1. How materials acquire weakness;
  2. checking the quality of material;
  3. Deterioration of materials e.g., timber (weather elements), concrete(old), steel(rust)

SESSION 6. CONCRETE/STEEL

  1. mixing of concrete and its importance;
  2. curing and its importance;
  3. Sub-standard Concrete mixing ratios

SESSION 7. PROFESSIONALS

  1. Good workmanship;
  2. Importance of involving professionals.

SESSION 8. THREATS/MAN-MADE HAZARDS

  1. Bad material uses
  2. Groundwater/site selection vs solid rock base
  3. Poor workmanship

SESSION 9. NATURAL HAZARDS

  1. Fire-Proofing buildings
  2. Earthquake Resistant buildings
  3. Flooding Resistant buildings
  4. Tornadoes
  5. Hurricanes

SESSION 10. CONCLUSION
1. Evaluation

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Course Content

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION
1. Chapter Objectives By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: ● Understand the importance of building safety and the causes of building collapses. ● Appreciate the impact of poor construction practices on lives and the economy. ● Explain the objectives and structure of the course. ● Recognize the relevance of this knowledge in the Kenyan context. The purpose of this course is to delve into the root causes of building collapses in Kenya, understanding the factors that contribute to these incidents. By doing so, we aim to raise awareness, promote a culture of safety, and encourage proactive measures to prevent future disasters. 2. How are buildings anchored? Anchoring is a crucial element in ensuring that buildings can withstand external forces and maintain structural integrity over time. It involves securing a structure to its foundation, preventing it from shifting or collapsing during seismic activity, extreme weather conditions, or other external pressures. Types of Anchoring I. Foundation Anchoring: Buildings in Kenya often face challenges related to the region's seismic activity. Properly anchoring a structure to its foundation is vital for withstanding ground movements during earthquakes. This is typically achieved through the use of anchor bolts and other foundation fastening methods. II. Roof and Wall Anchoring: High winds and heavy rainfall are common in certain regions of Kenya. Adequate anchoring of roofs and walls is necessary to resist these forces. This involves securely connecting the roof and walls to the building's frame, distributing loads evenly and preventing structural failure. III. Soil Conditions and Anchoring: Understanding the local soil conditions is paramount. Different soil types require specific anchoring methods to ensure stability. In Kenya, where soil conditions vary, builders must adapt anchoring techniques accordingly.

  • 1.Structure composition
  • 2. Loads types and transfer
  • 3. Site selection and Foundations
  • 4. Joinery (welding, nailing)
  • 5. Chapter 1 Questions

SESSION 2: THE STRUCTURE OF A BUILDING
1. Chapter Objectives By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Identify the main components of a building (foundation, superstructure, roofing, etc.). 2. Understand the roles and functions of each component. 3. Explain how the structural elements work together to ensure building stability. 4. Distinguish between load-bearing and non-load-bearing elements. 5. How buildings stand up 6. Anchoring of buildings into the ground in various materials; 7. Rigidity in the structure; 8. Where weaknesses occur;

SESSION 3. FOUNDATIONS
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Explain the purpose of foundations in building construction. 2. Identify different types of foundations and where they are used. 3. Understand the consequences of poor foundation design or construction. 4. Evaluate foundation risks and ways to prevent foundation-related building failures. Subtopics 1. Importance of foundation; 2. Types of foundation 3. Type of soil 4. Differential settlements

SESSION 4. LOADS
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Define and differentiate between dead loads, live loads, and environmental loads. 2. Understand how different loads affect a building’s structure. 3. Identify the causes of load-induced structural failures. 4. Apply basic knowledge of load considerations to improve building safety. SUB TOPICS 5.Types of loads. 6. How loads are transferred within the structure;

SESSION 5. MATERIAL SPECIFICATION/QUALITY
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Understand how materials acquire weaknesses. 2. Identify common signs of material deterioration in timber, steel, and concrete. 3. Apply methods to check and ensure material quality. 4. Recognize the role of quality control in preventing building collapse. SUB TOPICS 1. How materials acquire weakness; 2. checking the quality of material; 3. Deterioration of materials e.g., timber (weather elements), concrete(old), steel(rust)

SESSION 6. CONCRETE/STEEL
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Understand the correct process and importance of mixing concrete. 2. Explain the purpose and methods of curing concrete. 3. Identify substandard concrete mixing ratios and their consequences. 4. Apply basic knowledge of steel handling and the impact of corrosion on building integrity. SUB-TOPICS 1. mixing of concrete and its importance; 2. curing and its importance; 3. Sub-standard Concrete mixing ratios;

SESSION 7. PROFESSIONALS
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Understand the importance of involving qualified professionals in construction. 2. Identify key building professionals (architects, engineers, contractors, etc.) and their roles. 3. Recognize the impact of good workmanship on building safety. 4. Advocate for professional accountability and adherence to standards. SUB-TOPICS 1. Good workmanship; 2. Importance of involving professionals. 3. Professionals

SESSION 8. THREATS/MAN MADE HAZARDS
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Identify human-related threats to building safety such as use of poor materials and poor workmanship. 2. Understand the impact of poor site selection, groundwater, and lack of geotechnical assessment 3. Analyze case examples of man-made errors that have led to building collapses. 4. Recommend preventive measures to mitigate man-made hazards. SUB-TOPICS 1. Bad material uses 2. Groundwater/site selection vs solid rock base 3. Poor workmanship

SESSION 9. NATURAL HAZARDS
By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to: 1. Identify natural hazards that pose a risk to buildings, including fire, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. 2. Explain how these hazards can cause building collapse. 3. Describe mitigation strategies for each hazard to increase building resilience. 4. Evaluate building designs and materials for their ability to resist natural threats. SUB-TOPICS 1. Fire-Proofing buildings 2. Earthquake Resistant buildings 3. Flooding Resistant buildings 4. Tornadoes 5. Hurricanes

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