DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

The aim of this study is to assess water supply and sanitation facilities in Ekosodin community, Ovia north East Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted for the study. Data were generated through the use of a semi-structured questionnaire from three hundred and ninety-seven (397) respondent using a simple random sampling technique. An observational checklist was used in conducting an assessment of the availability, functionality and use of WASH facilities. Data generated were synthesized, entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 26.0)and the outcomes were presented in tables. Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the reliability
index of the questionnaire. A reliability index of 0.716 was obtained indicating that the questionnaire is good. The result obtained from the survey showed that 374 (94.2%) households have access to improved water supply and borehole was the main source of water supply for households. Type of toilet facilities use in households were mainly; water closet 245(61.7%) pit latrine 88 (22.2%) and swat flush 53 (13.4%). Method of solid waste disposal were mainly; open dumpsite 224 (56.4%), burning 150 (37.8%) and throwing into the bush 150 (37.8%). Most respondents practice handwashing at every other time 94(23.7%), 82 (20.7%) after using the toilet, 79(19.9%) practice hand washing before cooking. It was also observed that 243 (57.8%) houses had no drainage system, 237 (56.4%) have no waste storage facility, and 312 (74.28%) have refuse dumpsite and 354(84.3%)
did now not have odour of excreta in the surrounding. Results also shows that household have access to proper handwashing practices but lack when to practice at critical time. Hence, Ekosodin community has poor access to adequate WASH facilities. It is recommended that rural communities should synergize with authorities at all degrees to make certain adequate provision of WASH amenities and a proper awareness in their communities.

The construction industry is increasingly looking for sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials. PKS is an agricultural waste product and its incorporation into concrete not only reduces waste but also offers potential economic and environmental benefits. This study addresses this concern by investigating the viability of using palm kernel shell (PKS) as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete. To evaluate its effect, we conducted a series of experiments in which we replaced conventional coarse aggregate with PKS at varying percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). To ascertain how PKS presence affected this crucial attribute, tests were conducted on the compressive strength of the resultant concrete specimens. Cement, sand, coarse aggregate, and palm kernel shell are the materials used. Concrete cubes of 100 mm by 100 mm by 100 mm were formed using a 1:1.5:4 (C30) concrete mix ratio, which was batched by weight. The cubes were crushed after 3, 7, 14, and 28 days to compare the strength at (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) PKS replacement According to this research, the results showed that as the percentage of palm kernel shell in concrete increases, the compressive strength decreases alongside its cost and the weight of concrete. At around 10% partial replacement of coarse aggregate with palm kernel shell in concrete gives a significant decrease in cost and weight of the concrete without much affecting the compressive strength of concrete.

Traffic congestion is a widespread urban problem with significant economic, environmental, and social consequences. It occurs when the demand for road space exceeds its capacity. Key contributors to congestion include increased vehicle ownership, insufficient road infrastructure, poor traffic management, and traffic incidents like accidents and breakdowns. The impacts are severe, leading to economic losses from wasted fuel and lost productivity, environmental degradation through increased emissions, and social issues such as stress and reduced quality of life. Congestion also reduces the overall efficiency of road networks. To mitigate these issues, various strategies are employed, including infrastructure improvements, the implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and enhancements to public transportation (Rao and Rao, 2015). Traffic congestion in the Central Business District (CBD) of Benin City, Nigeria, is a significant issue driven by rapid urbanisation, inadequate road
infrastructure, limited parking spaces, roadside trading, and outdated town planning. The CBD, a commercial hub with high vehicle volumes on roads, experiences severe socioeconomic impacts including delayed arrivals, time wastage, increased transport costs, and reduced productivity (Awere and Eghareuba, 2022)

The long-term management of critical infrastructure requires moving beyond costly manual inspections to the adoption of continuous structural health monitoring(SHM) systems. This project successfully developed a necessary link between SHM sensor data and a building information model(BIM). The aim was to create a workflow that processes large sensor data to determine structural performance and automate the process of updating the processed data into the corresponding digital elements with the BIM environment. The data collection from the case study was done using a locally made cost-effective accelerometer sensor. The processing of the raw sensor data was carried out using Python script to determine the peak lateral frequencies at ambient and loaded conditions, as well as the percentage shift in the frequency, which indicated a percentage shift in structural
stiffness. Virtual sensors were created in the model at the location of the sensor during data collection. With the aid of Dynamo in Revit software, the processed data were automatically imported to the correct element within the model, instead of manually inputting them. At ambient conditions, the bridge deck and staircase had a peak lateral frequency of 0.467Hz and 0.867Hz respectively, while at pedestrian loading conditions, the bridge deck and staircase had a peak lateral frequency of 0.413Hz and 0.829Hz respectively. This processed data showed that the lateral frequency of the bridge deck and staircase decreased
by 11.6% and 4.38% respectively, indicating a 21.85% and 8.57% reduction in the effective stiffness of the elements respectively. The solution will improve large sensor data management by reducing data interpretation time. This allows structural engineers and stakeholders to gain faster, more confident insights needed for timely maintenance decisions and ensuring structural safety.

This study conducts a comprehensive quality analysis of sachet water from multiple companies operating in Benin City, Nigeria. Sachet water, commonly referred to as "pure water," constitutes a primary source of affordable drinking water for a significant portion of the city's population. The research aims to assess the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of these products to provide critical insights into their safety and quality.The analysis encompasses a rigorous evaluation of the physical characteristics, including colour, odour, and turbidity, as well as an in-depth examination of chemical properties such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and specific ions influencing taste and safety. Furthermore, the microbiological quality is assessed by investigating the presence of coliform bacteria and potential pathogens.Comparative analyses are conducted to discernvariations or discrepancies in sachet water quality among different companies. Recommendations based on the findings are provided,which can be utilized by regulatory authorities and sachet water producers to enhance the quality and safety of these products.This study bears significant implications for public health, as sachet water serves as a vital source of drinking water for many residents of Benin City. Additionally, it empowers consumers with essential information for making informed choices regarding their water source. The findings also contribute to regulatory improvements, thereby benefiting both consumers and producers in the sachet water industry

This study investigated the optimization of granulated groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) as a natural coagulant for water treatment, compared with the conventional chemical coagulant, alum. The research was motivated by the increasing need for sustainable and eco-friendly water treatment methods, as chemical coagulants such as alum have been associated with high residual ion concentrations and potential health concerns. The study aimed to determine the optimal operational conditions—coagulant dosage, stirring speed, and flocculation time—that yield the best water quality in terms of turbidity, pH, conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using Design-Expert software was employed to model and optimize the coagulation process based on experimental data from jar tests.

For the granulated groundnut coagulant, optimal conditions were achieved at a stirring speed of 400 rpm, stirring time of 2.37 minutes, and dosage of 1.00 mg/L, resulting in predicted responses of pH 6.61, conductivity 221.98 µS/cm, TDS 121.30 mg/L, and turbidity 7.86 NTU. In comparison, alum showed its best performance at a stirring speed of 400 rpm, stirring time of 7.06 minutes, and dosage of 2.96 mg/L, yielding a pH of 6.50, conductivity of 1392.24 µS/cm, TDS of 825.65 mg/L, and turbidity of 4.93 NTU. While alum produced slightly lower turbidity, it significantly increased conductivity and TDS, indicating higher residual salts and poorer overall water quality compared to granulated groundnut.

The findings demonstrate that granulated groundnut is an effective, biodegradable, and low-cost alternative to alum, providing satisfactory turbidity reduction, excellent ionic quality, and near-neutral pH at lower dosages and shorter flocculation times. The study concludes that groundnut-based coagulants can serve as a sustainable option for small-scale and rural water purification systems and recommends further research on microbial removal efficiency and large-scale application to enhance practical adoption in eco-friendly water treatment.

The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has prompted the
exploration of alternative resources to conventional aggregates. This study investigated
the effect of using periwinkle shells as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in
concrete, combined with chemical admixture.
The study utilized the following materials: cement, fine aggregate(sand), coarse
aggregate (granite), water, and periwinkle shells. The method involved preparing
concrete mixes with varying proportions (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) of granite
replaced by periwinkle shells. Standard laboratory tests were carried out, these include:
The physical properties of cement (consistency, initial and final setting time), aggregate
(fineness modulus, silt content, moisture content, specific gravity, aggregate crushing
value, and aggregate impact value test) and mechanical properties of the concrete
produced (compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength) at 7, 14 and 28
days curing period. Slump test and water absorption tests, were also assessed to evaluate
the suitability of periwinkle shells as coarse aggregate substitutes.
The results showed that compressive strength decreased with increasing replacement but
remained satisfactory at lower levels. At 28 days, the control mix achieved 20.85 N/mm²,
while 10% replacement recorded 19.56 N/mm², representing a 6% reduction but still
retaining over 90% of the control strength. Similarly, split tensile strength reduced from 3.87 N/mm² (control) to 3.60 N/mm² (10%), and flexural strength decreased from 5.96 N/mm² to 4.13 N/mm² at 28 days. Water absorption increased slightly from 2.68% .(control) to 3.04% at 10% replacement, remaining within acceptable durability limits. Based on these findings, the optimum replacement level is 10%, as it offers improved sustainability while maintaining structural adequacy and durability for practical applications.

This study investigated the effect of ceramic waste powder (CWP) as a partial replacement of cement on the mechanical performance and durability of concrete, with the aim of promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices. The experimental work was carried out between August and September 2025 at the Civil Engineering Laboratory, University of Benin. Ceramic waste was crushed and ground to pass a 75 µm sieve, and concrete mixes with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% CWP were produced at a 1:2:4 mix ratio and a constant water–cement ratio of 0.55. Compressive strength was tested at 7, 14, and 28 days, while durability was assessed using water absorption and sorptivity.

The pressure exerted on a water distribution system due to population increase and aging of
the system yields to routine assessment of its functionality. EPANET 2.2 software was used
comparatively in evaluating/analyzing the serviceability of the water distribution system in
University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. A steady state analysis was also carried out to determine hydraulic parameters such as pressure, velocity, headloss and flow. The results from the design simulation shows that the pressure gotten at all nodes was suitable for the design and the pressure results indicated a high head within the system which resulted to (90%) of the nodes operating above the adopted system pressure of 10m while the remaining 10% of the pressure was operating below the pressure of 10m.

Ignoring to investigate ground water quality and predict groundwater flow can have serious consequences for sustainable environmental practices and water resource management. The aim of this applied study was to model and simulate the ground water flow at the Benin city second cemetery area using the MODEL-MUSE software. In this study, The Model-muse software was used in 10 years (1995-2006) transient
groundwater monitoring at the second cemetery area. Digital elevation models, shapefiles, yearly recharge and pumping rates data of the
study area were incooperated into modelmuse to model the transient flow pattern from 19952006 stress period.