ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT OF MASONRY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

­CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Masonry is the building of structures from individual unit laid in and bond together by mortar, the term masonry can also refer to unit themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are bricks, stones, marbles, granites, limestone, cast stone, concrete blocks, glass blocks, stoke tile and cob.

Masonry is generally a highly durable form of construction. However, the materials used, the quality of mortar and workmanship, and the patter in which the units are assembled can significantly affect the durability of construction. A person who constructs masonry is called mason or bricklayer. Management is the process of reaching organizational goals by making with aid through people and other organizational resource.  Management has the following characteristics:

1. It involves overall concentration on reaching organizational goals
2. It reaches these goals by working with, and through people and other organizational resource.

Naturally, this status is not conflicting with a useful function other than simple monumental history building carry their cultural significance attach not only to their formal architectural language but also to their specific structural features, applied material and building techniques, and by being old, they have also been a part of human life.

In addition, existing standard regulation and code are now applicable to the assessment of safety factors in historical masonry activities such as scaffold insulation, mixing mortar, laying of blocks, cutting blocks, and grouting are labor dependent and require a large number of worker with diverse skills. Work is physically demanding (spielhole et al), zoob and masons as well as mason helpers (laborers) often lift heavy materials and stand for long periods of time (Boschman et al, 2011).

A number of studies have identified masonry features that may impact masonry crew’s performance, these include excessive block cutting, numerous corners (Sanders and Thomas 1991) numerous openings (Hassanun and Milin 1997) the use of none adjustable scaffolds and the size of masonry units (Montlock and the whole head 1970). Additionally, masons work outdoors and are subject to poor weather conditions that reduce their work activity (BLS, 2014).

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

          Statistics has shown that throughout the world, lack of masonry assessment by management on building site has resulted to occurrence of accident, some which are fatal and some result in permanent disablement to building owners, other in temporary disablement over the year (Repairing masonry, 2015).

Lack of management of masonry on sites may lead to condition that will cause anguish to families, suffering to victims affected by collapse, and waste of time and money (Nelson and Dan, 2012). Various tragic situation has over the years engulfed building site due to improper management and this is a potential pitfall in the growth of building industry and this can only be checkmated by adhering to management rules and practices on building sites (Repairing masonry, 2015).

Many masonry problems and claims arise from poor construction, workmanship and from poor exceeding the allowable erection tolerances. Some other problems associated with masonry work include:

1. Poor supervision and management of work
2. Lack of skilled laborers and builders with professional knowledge of the work at hand
3. Using of substandard materials in other to cut down or save cost.

1.3    AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study work is to promote better masonry practices in building construction sites. The research objectives are:

1. To examine masonry work and its management.
2. To investigate the management of masonry work within the study area.
3. To examine the factors that affect management of masonry work.

1.4    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are masonry works and how are they managed?
2. How is management of masonry work carried out within the study area?

• What factors affect management of masonry work within the study area?

1.5    SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This project is focused on the management of masonry work in the building sites. Construction been an extremely hazardous activity calls for urgent attention in other to improve the management of materials, life and property of those engaging in the activities.

1.6    JUSTIFICATION/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study is to assess the management of masonry in building construction site in Etsako East Local Government Area in Edo State. This study also focuses on the assessment of masonry structures and also its management over time.

1.7    STUDY AREA

This assessment of the management of masonry work is going to focus mainly on some selected area in Etsako East Local Government Area. Okpella is a kingdom situated along Benin-Abuja federal highway road. It is a town in Edo-State, Nigeria and one of the three main towns that make up Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo.

Okpella is known for its natural mineral resources, which include limestone, calcium and granite, and attract investors to the people of Okpella Kingdom. Okpella clan is strategically located on the northern fringes of Edo state bordering Kogi. It is on the major gateway opening Edo State to the north of Nigeria, Home to several solid minerals industries and several agricultural products it is the third largest clan in Edo State as recorded in the 2006 population census.

The major industries today in edo state Land is mostly mining related. These industries have attracted mining related firms into the area. There are several quarries producing dolomite, granite and granite dust used for the construction of roads, cement and glass, other quarries in the area are into the crushing and bagging of kaolin for livestock’s feed companies across Nigeria. While the most notable companies in Edo state are the Okpella cement factory, Setraco Construction Company       and a few others. Today there are related companies spread across Edo state.

Fig. 1.1       MAP OF EDO STATE SHOWING WHERE MASONRY MATERIALS ARE FOUND

Source: (Wikipedia, 2001)

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