An Investigation of Renewable Energy Solutions for Off-Grid Sustainable Housing in Rural Nigeria

This study examines the adoption of renewable energy solutions for off-grid sustainable housing in rural Nigeria, focusing on the types of technologies implemented, their impact on living standards, and the factors influencing adoption. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 340 households with qualitative interviews and case studies, reveals that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are the most widely adopted renewable energy technology, significantly enhancing health outcomes, economic activities, and educational opportunities. Multivariate regression analysis identifies income, education level, and awareness as key predictors of renewable energy adoption, with coefficients of 0.345, 0.267, and 0.453, respectively, suggesting that higher income, education levels, and awareness substantially increase the likelihood of adopting renewable energy solutions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) illustrates that awareness mediates the impact of income and education on adoption, which, in turn, contributes to improved living standards. The study underscores the need for comprehensive policies, community engagement, capacity building, financial support, and effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks to encourage renewable energy adoption in rural Nigeria. These findings highlight the multifaceted benefits of renewable energy, including improved health, economic growth, and educational outcomes, while suggesting that addressing identified barriers can enhance the effectiveness and scalability of renewable energy initiatives

Climate Resilience in Nigerian Construction: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Outcomes

Climate resilience in the construction sector is critical for ensuring the durability and sustainability of infrastructure amidst the increasing impacts of climate change. This study systematically reviews climate resilience strategies in the Nigerian construction sector, evaluating their effectiveness and outcomes. A comprehensive literature search yielded 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and official reports, focusing on design innovations, material selection, policy frameworks, and case studies across Nigeria's diverse climatic zones. Key findings indicate that strategies such as flood barriers, green roofs, and sustainable materials are effective in mitigating climate risks, although challenges such as financial constraints, regulatory gaps, and lack of awareness persist. The study highlights the importance of community involvement, government support, and technological innovation in successfully implementing resilience measures. Comparative analysis with global best practices underscores the need for integrated approaches tailored to Nigeria's unique context. The study concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies, cross-regional comparisons, and the integration of traditional knowledge. Policy implications include the development of comprehensive regulatory frameworks and public-private partnerships to enhance the sector's adaptive capacity. This research provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for enhancing climate resilience in Nigeria's construction industry, contributing to broader goals of sustainable development and climate adaptation

Investigation of Community Engagement in Sustainable Construction Projects: Case Studies from Nigeria

This study investigates the role of community engagement in sustainable construction projects in Nigeria, focusing on three case studies: a green residential building in Lagos, an eco-friendly community center in Abuja, and a sustainable water infrastructure project in rural Kano. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through  interviews, surveys, and document analysis. The research identifies significant variations in engagement practices, with Lagos showing high engagement levels, leading to greater community acceptance and better environmental outcomes. Key success factors include strong leadership, adequate funding, and effective communication, while challenges such as socio-cultural barriers and political interference were noted. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained, tailored engagement strategies to enhance project sustainability and community support. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical data on the long-term impacts of community engagement, offering insights for policy makers and project managers to improve community participation in sustainable construction

Fracture toughness of iron and copper powder compacts using modified diametrical compression test technique

In the industries today, metal components are increasingly being produced by powder metallurgy (PM) method. The PM method is highly efficient in cost of production and materials usage. However, PM components suffer from inhomogeneous density variation and are more likely to have internal cracks. These deficiencies usually make PM components prone to sudden fracture failure. A parameter that is known to define the rate at which cracks grow in a material is fracture toughness. Unfortunately, the fracture toughness of most metal powder compacts have not been determined due to lack of suitable test technique. This study developed a notching device that has the capability to provide uniform notches on the surfaces of powder compacts. The effectiveness of the notching device enhanced the determination of mode I fracture toughness (KIC) of two metal powder compacts; iron and copper. A method known as the modified diametrical compression test technique (MDCTT) was also developed to measure the mode II fracture toughness (KIIC) of the powder compacts. Finally, the study examined the influence of density on the rate of crack propagation in the compacts and developed mathematical relation that predicts fracture toughness from the relative density of either the iron or copper powder compacts. Notched samples of two types of metal powder; Hoaganas ASC100.29 iron powder and pure copper powder were prepared by uniaxial compaction in a rigid die using universal testing machine. The relative density of the powder compacts was determined as a fraction of the density of the compact to their corresponding solid metal before the diametrical compression test was carried out for each sample. The behavior of the cracks around the tip of the notch was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). A new equation was developed to calculate the values of KIIC from the MDCTT. The results of KIC for the iron powder compacts showed close agreement with values mentioned in the literature. The KIC values for copper powder compacts range from 0.32 to 0.58 MPa.m0.5 while the KIIC for the iron and copper powder compacts ranged from 0.30 to 0.57 MPa.m0.5 and 0.28 to 0.59 MPa.m0.5 respectively. The ratio KIIC/KIC for the iron and copper powder compacts from this study showed good agreement with the predicted values of 0.87 and 1.04 based on the maximum tangential stress (MTS) and the minimum strain energy density (SED) criteria respectively. The agreement implies that the developed MDCTT is reliable and can be used to measure the KIIC of other metal powder compacts. Furthermore, the results also show that the rate of crack extension reduced as the density of the powder compacts increases. A generalized mathematical expression that relates fracture toughness and relative density has been successfully developed. This relationship will be beneficial for further analysis of crack propagation within metal powder compact