EHI ORIA-USIFO

Ugbowo Road in Benin City faces persistent flooding and drainage failure driven by rapid urbanization, poor maintenance, and structural decay. This study assessed the structural integrity and hydraulic efficiency of drainage sections at four key locations: UBTH, Adolor Junction, Uselu Shell, and Ekehuan Link Road. Through visual inspections, non-destructive rebound hammer testing, and hydraulic analysis using Manning’s and Rational Methods, the research aimed to identify specific causes of failure and propose viable technical solutions. The investigation revealed significant structural defects, including cracks, erosion, and honeycombing, with concrete compressive strengths (12.7–19.8 MPa) falling below the required 20–25 MPa standard. While hydraulic analysis confirmed that the original designs possessed sufficient capacity to handle peak discharges, their performance is currently crippled by heavy siltation, waste dumping, and poor slope alignment. Consequently, the study identified functional inefficiency and maintenance neglect, particularly at the critical Adolor Junction rather than design inadequacy as the primary drivers of drainage failure. To restore optimal functionality and mitigate urban flooding, the study recommends the
reconstruction of failing sections using 25 MPa concrete and the implementation of a rigorous maintenance regime involving routine desilting. Technical enhancements, such as the installation of trash screens and inspection chambers, should be paired with the enforcement of environmental sanitation policies. Finally, the establishment of a drainage asset management plan by the Edo State Ministry of Works and Environment is essential for the long-term monitoring and sustainability of the corridor's infrastructure.

This research investigates the structural behavior of a reinforced concrete box culvert under variable hydraulic conditions typical of urban drainage systems in Benin City. The study addresses the problem of culvert deterioration caused by internal sedimentation, foundation scour and variable headwater levels. The aim of the research was to develop a data-driven model that links observable hydraulic conditions to quantifiable structural responses, thereby improving performance evaluation and maintenance prioritization.To achieve this, field investigations were conducted at the Ogba River drainage corridor to determine practical ranges for the three hydraulic variables. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to generate a design matrix with 20 experimental runs. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed for each run to simulate the resulting wall shear force response. Six center points were observed in the matrix to ensure adequate degrees of freedom for estimating pure error and testing lack of fit in the ANOVA. The RSM model achieved a coefficient of determination (R²) of 98.6%, confirming the model’s high predictive accuracy. Results showed that the headwater level had the most significant effect on the wall shear force. The effect of the headwater level on the wall shear force is amplified by its interaction with foundation scour. Optimization analysis identified critical combinations of the variables that produced maximum WSF values greater than 70 kN/m, indicating the threshold beyond which the culvert’s structural integrity may be compromised. The developed model provides a quantitative framework for predicting wall shear forces based on measurable hydraulic conditions, offering a practical decision-support tool for culvert maintenance and management in resource-constrained urban environments such as Benin City.

This study assessed the dual-scale techno-economic feasibility of using Moringa oleifera as a natural coagulant–flocculant for greywater treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the dual-scale techno-economic feasibility of using locally sourced coagulants for coagulation-flocculation treatment of greywater, with a focus on treatment efficiency, costeffectiveness and possible reuse. The study involved the collection of greywater from a commercial kitchen and its treatment in a fabricated coagulation–flocculation water treatment prototype using locally sourced materials. Moringa oleifera seeds were processed into powder and applied at optimized dosages in operational use of the prototype for greywater treament. Physicochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were analyzed before and after treatment. A techno-economic analysis compared the experimental moringa-based system with a conventional alumbased system in terms of capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), energy consumption, sludge management and payback period. The results of this study revealed substantial reductions in key pollutants: turbidity decreased from 8.4 NTU to 3.7 NTU, TSS from 22.4 mg/L to 8.7 mg/L, COD from 800.4 mg/L to 310.6 mg/L, and BOD from 101.3 mg/L to 79.4 mg/L, while colour reduced from 10.4 Pt.Co to 5.3 Pt.Co. However, TDS and EC values decresed from 2577 mg/L to 2554 mg/L and 5153 S/cm to 5107 S/cm respectively but remained above permissible limits, indicating a need for further treatment. The techno-economic analysis showed that the moringa-based system required lower CAPEX (₦ 2.2 million vs ₦ 3.0 million), reduced OPEX (₦ 540,000/yr vs ₦ 820,000/yr), and achieved a faster payback (3.8 years vs 6.5 years), yielding a return on investment of 28% compared to 15% for alum. The study concluded that Moringa oleifera is an effective, eco-friendly and cost-efficient coagulant suitable for decentralized greywater treatment. It is recommended that further optimization of dosage, integration with biological post-treatment and pilot-scale community deployment be pursued to enhance reuse potential and policy adoption.

This project work titled "The effects of the partial replacement of fine aggregate in concrete with recycled metallic filings" aims to investigate the viability and impact of using Recycled metallic filings as a sustainable alternative to traditional fine aggregates in concrete mixtures. This project explores the use of recycled metallic filings as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in concrete production to address environmental and financial challenges. The study aims to examine the impacts of recycled metallic filings on compressive strength and durability, as well as the properties of concrete mixtures containing different percentages of metal scraps. Preliminary findings suggest that incorporating recycled metallic filings can improve concrete's compressive strength due to their unique physical properties and ability to act as granules for cement hydration. However, there are concerns about corrosion due to the presence of metals like iron in the filings, and the workability of concrete mixtures containing metallic filings can be affected. In conclusion, this project aims to explore the feasibility and potential benefits of partially replacing fine aggregates in concrete with recycled metallic filings, suggesting that this innovative approach can lead to improved compressive strength while addressing environmental and economic concerns.