CAUSES OF BUILDING COLLAPSE, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

negative impacts on the two. Environmental disaster of varying origin from man-made to natural is one of the most negative effects of the built environment on man. An assessment of the magnitude of these disasters and an evaluation of the existing capacities to prevent, mitigate or prepare for them are necessary tools to provide future safe living for man in his built environment. Building collapse established to be caused by many factors is one of such disasters wielding its great impact of loss of lives and properties on man. This study evaluated the causes of building collapse in Edo State by identifying the major causes of collapse, assessing its effect, and also assessing the roles of government and construction professionals in mitigating the occurrence of building collapse in Edo State. The method use to carry out this study involves laboratory analysis of the materials harvested from the different building collapse sites, structural analysis of the collapse building and distribution of questionnaires to gather information relevant to the study. The study indicated that the causes of building failure and collapse stem principally from poor structural designs of buildings, low compressive strength of blocks, poor supervision, inexperience (use of incompetent hands), ignorance, evasion/non-compliance with building regulations and non-enforcement of building quality, standard and control on construction site/market. After identifying the major causes of collapse, this study concludes with necessary recommendations to prevent and stop further occurrence of building collapse in Edo State.