Problems of drought and its management in Yobe State, Nigeria

Drought poses an enormous global threat to sustainable development and is expected to increase with global climate change. Drought and desertification are major problems in Yobe State (north-east Nigeria). This study investigates the main problems associated with drought in Yobe State. Qualitative methods were employed to investigate socio-economic impacts of drought via Focus Group Discussions (FDG). Farmers and officials from the State Ministry of the Environment were the discussants. Both groups confirmed the frequency and severity of drought in Yobe. However, farmers have practises that cause environmental degradation. Developing a viable and holistic approach to drought mitigation is crucial, to arresting and hopefully reversing environmental degradation. Understanding the causes and consequences of drought will help develop drought mitigation and management strategies. Currently, there is no proper drought mitigation and management framework in Yobe State. This paper introduces the socio-economic and environmental effects of drought and makes recommendations for mitigation and management strategies in Yobe State

Optimization of mix composition of cement-less wastepaper-based lightweight block (CWLB)

The development of cement-less wastepaper-based lightweight block (CWLB) is another important step towards the production of eco-friendly building materials from wastepaper. This block which was designed to be used for non-load bearing/non-structural application was developed without the use of hydraulic cement. This study was conducted to optimize the mix composition of CWLB for the purpose of maximizing its compressive strength. This aim was achieved by employing the Taguchi statistical optimization technique in conjunction with laboratory experimentation. The result indicated that water/binder ratio had the most significant effect on the compressive strength of CWLB. The analysis of result establishes the CWLB specimen with optimal parameter to be that which was made from; 2.5 WPA/Sand ratio, 0.75 Water/binder ratio, and 3.5 Metric ton (i.e. 13.7MPa) compacting force. Also, the optimal CWLB displayed; an average compressive strength of 2.71MPa which indicated an increase of 402% compared to the 0.50MPa displayed by the worst parameter combination and an average density of 901.5kg/m3. The compressive strength and the density of the optimal CWLB was found to maximally satisfy the requirements for non-load bearing lightweight blocks. Considering the high amount (typically, 75%) of waste content in the composition of CWLB, it was reckoned as a viable eco-friendly lightweight block suitable for non-load bearing application. Future work will investigate other relevant properties of CWLB which include; Elastic modulus, water absorption, thermal conductivity, and reaction to fire. Key-Words: - Taguchi method, compressiv

Implementation of BIM and lean construction in offsite housing construction: evidence from the UK

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by IGLC in the Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC29), Alarcon, L.F. and González, V.A. (eds.), available online: https://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1906 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.The benefits of integrating Lean construction (LC) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been discussed in recent research studies. However, the effects of implementing these methodologies as an integrated approach in offsite housing construction (OSHC) processes have not been explored in the UK. This research aims at assessing the current situation of the implementation of BIM and LC in OSHC in the UK. A quantitative research method was adopted in the study and thirty-two questionnaire survey responses were received from professionals and practitioners of Lean, BIM and offsite methodologies in the UK construction industry. The study found that there is increasing use of LC and BIM in the development of OSHC projects in the UK. It further reveals that these two methodologies when appropriately implemented can bring several benefits. This study sheds light on the current status of implementation of BIM and LC in OSHC and the benefits of the implementation of both BIM and LC in OSHC processes in the UK

Socio-Economic Effects Of Drought In The Semi-Arid Sahel: A Review

Drought in the Sahel is a feature which affects different aspects of peoples’ lives and their environment, including the mortality of people and livestock. Lack of proper infrastructure also triggers effects on socio-economic activities. Severe drought and natural resource constraints triggered by water scarcity in the world’s drylands, in addition to rapid population growth, acute poverty and drought coping conditions, contribute to hunger, social conflicts and environmental degradation. Sahelian rainfall declined ∼20-30% towards the end of the 20th century; the 1970s droughts (‘Great Drought’) showed different severity across the region. In 2011 severe drought struck Somalia, causing a humanitarian crisis which affected over 10 million people, 2 million among them were malnourished children, leaving 380,000 refugees in Kenya. This research is a review of socio-economic effects of drought in Sahel to make recommendation for Yobe state, Nigeria