DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

This study compares the design method for a tall hostel building structure using computer aided design (CAD) with the traditional manual approach. This study examined the advantages and disadvantages of each technique in order to comprehend its efficacy, accuracy and relevance to contemporary building industry and building service engineers. Given that this is a technological world, there are numerous software applications that can be used for complex and massive structural work in an economical way through saving time and people. Some applications are used in structural calculation of a civil engineering, where it is subjected to different types of loadings. In order to achieve this, ORION CSC18 software is used to analyze and design a multistory building and compare the results with the manual calculated values. Appropriate techniques are applied in creating geometry, columns cross sections as well as beams cross sections slabs and footings for analysis and design of multistory building. Orion software is a reliable and efficient tool for structural design, simplifying analysis and creation. It determines reinforcement requirements for concrete segments and has a strong relationship with AutoCAD. However, caution is advised to avoid incorrect data input. Orion software is a reliable and efficient tool for structural design, simplifying analysis and creation. It determines reinforcement requirements for concrete segments and has a strong relationship with AutoCAD. However, caution is advised to avoid incorrect data input.

In emergency situations, the time between a fire service station and fire accidents is crucial, often measured in seconds and rapid access to critical areas is essential (Balasubramani, 2016). Maps play a significant role during crises, aiding in response efforts, search and rescue operations, damage mitigation, and assessing impact

In Africa's emerging nations, the majority of the road networks are in appalling condition. In this instance, Nigeria is not an exception. With the Egba community as a case study, the study looks into the characteristics of accidents on the Benin-Auchi route caused by faulty roads. It considers the adverse effects of the poor road conditions and heavy traffic on the community, the government, and the socioeconomic advantages for the whole nation. It also emphasizes the typical causes of road failures on our roads. Poor building and design, poor highway maintenance, low-quality materials, shoddy craftsmanship, inadequate supervision of construction work, and the driving of heavy traffic that wasn't meant for the road were some of the causes. Three samples were taken from various locations along the Benin-Auchi road for soil testing in the structural laboratory to compare the soils' geotechnical properties and assess the strength and resistance of the subgrade material to traffic loads placed on the road. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, Atterberg limits, compaction tests, specific gravity tests, and sieve analysis tests are all performed in the structural laboratory. The maximum dry unit weight (MDD) varied from 1.98g/cm3 to 2.02g/cm3, and the ideal moisture content (OMC) ranged from 11.8% to 12.8%, according to the compaction experiment of the Atterberg limit test. A, B, and C were found to have average specific gravities of 2.54, 2.51, and 2.43, respectively, within the 2.41-2.54. For each of the three locations, the CBR varies between 8 and 11% for moist soil and 17 and 35% for unsaturated soil. The Federal Ministry of Works (1997) judged that the CBR strength was sufficient for the subgrade component. One of the factors contributing to the rapid deterioration may be increased traffic and heavy-duty vehicle loads exceeding the design and carrying capacity of the road. Appropriate road design and reducing excessive traffic congestion are two ways to address this issue. Regular road maintenance, sufficient soil tests while building roads, the hiring of licensed engineering specialists, the use of appropriate construction materials, and the application of penalties for highway failures are also recommended

In Africa's emerging nations, the majority of the road networks are in appalling condition. In this instance, Nigeria is not an exception. With the Egba community as a case study, the study looks into the characteristics of accidents on the Benin-Auchi route caused by faulty roads. It considers the adverse effects of the poor road conditions and heavy traffic on the community, the government, and the socioeconomic advantages for the whole nation. It also emphasizes the typical causes of road failures on our roads. Poor building and design, poor highway maintenance, low-quality materials, shoddy craftsmanship, inadequate supervision of construction work, and the driving of heavy traffic that wasn't meant for the road were some of the causes. Three samples were taken from various locations along the Benin-Auchi road for soil testing in the structural laboratory to compare the soils' geotechnical properties and assess the strength and resistance of the subgrade material to traffic loads placed on the road. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, Atterberg limits, compaction tests, specific gravity tests, and sieve analysis tests are all performed in the structural laboratory. The maximum dry unit weight (MDD) varied from 1.98g/cm3 to 2.02g/cm3, and the ideal moisture content (OMC) ranged from 11.8% to 12.8%, according to the compaction experiment of the Atterberg limit test. A, B, and C were found to have average specific gravities of 2.54, 2.51, and 2.43, respectively, within the 2.41-2.54. For each of the three locations, the CBR varies between 8 and 11% for moist soil and 17 and 35% for unsaturated soil. The Federal Ministry of Works (1997) judged that the CBR strength was sufficient for the subgrade component. One of the factors contributing to the rapid deterioration may be increased traffic and heavy-duty vehicle loads exceeding the design and carrying capacity of xiiithe road. Appropriate road design and reducing excessive traffic congestion are two ways to address this issue. Regular road maintenance, sufficient soil tests while building roads, the hiring of licensed engineering specialists, the use of appropriate construction materials, and the application of penalties for highway failures are also recommended

A good road network of a developing area such as Ekosodin community to major cities leads to rapid urban development. However, the erosion susceptible soil in the area has tasked highway and geotechnical engineers into research on improvement techniques on such problematic soil and still produce satisfactory pavement or foundation bases. Therefore, this study was focused on testing the effect of caustic soda additives on erosion susceptible soil in Ekosodin, Benin city, to improve its geotechnical properties. This study was achieved by collecting four soil samples from the study area, analysingthe soil specific gravity, particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, cohesion, angle of internal friction, and California bearing ratio. Also, the effect of the caustic soda addition in 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% on these geotechnical properties were investigated and compared. Afterwards, the optimum percentage of caustic soda to give the highest soil strength based on the load bearing and subgrade capacity was determined. The final soil results, based on its index and engineering properties in its unstabilized form, showed an AASHTO class of A-6 and A-7-6 class soil which usual types of significant constituent materials are Clayey soil of more than 35% fine passing BS sieve No 200, with fair to poor subgrade rating in pavement design and a significant level of plasticity. However, the addition of caustic soda was analyzed to a maximum percentage of 10 on the Soil Atterberg limits, Compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test results, and the following was observed. A decrease in the liquid limit from 50.38% to 25.44% in soil samples at point 1; 39.66% to 25.49% in point 2; 50.59% to 26.20% in point 3; and 41.99% to 28.22% in point 4. Similarly, the plastic limit reduced from 25.53% to 11.47%, 20.12% to 10.96%, 21.18% to 14.22%, and 20.77% to 16.04% for soil samples at points 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. While the optimum moisture content decreased from their original values of 15.7%, 14.8%, 15.9%, and 14.8% to 13.30%,13.80%, 11.20%, and 10.30% for soil in points 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Similarly, the angle of internal friction from their original values of 5.45°, 7.02°, 8.14°, and 6.49° to 3.75°, 5.54°, 7.06°, and 5.17° for soil in points 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. However, an increase in the maximum dry density from 1.63 g/cm3, 1.65 g/cm3, 1.63 g/cm3, 1.66g/cm3 to 1.79 g/cm3, 1.77 g/cm3, 1.80 g/cm3, and 1.79 g/cm3 respectively at the addition of the 10% caustic soda. Similarly, increased the cohesion from their original values of 32.0 kN/m2, 27.0 kN/m2, 31.0 kN/m2, and 32.0 kN/m2 to 38.60 kN/m2, 32.00 kN/m2, 38.04 kN/m2, and 37.86 kN/m2 for soil in points 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.Also, an increase in the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) was observed both in theunsoaked and soaked state to 23.45%, 22.99%, 26.00%, and 20.50% for soil in points 1,2, 3 and 4 respectively. The highest soaked soil CBR value of 26.0% was achieved at an optimum value of 10% caustic soda stabilization. Therefore, the chemical stabilization of caustic soda was recommended for erosion susceptible soil in Ekosodin as it improved the soil sample of the area from poor subgrade or foundation soil to a good load bearing and subgrade capacity soil for building and road construction.