Browsing by Author "Eze, C. J."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Application of lean manufacturing tools and techniques for waste reduction in Nigerian bricks production process
(In Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management Journal @ Emerald Publishing Limited, 2019) Aka, A.; Isah, A. D.; Eze, C. J.; Timileyin, O.
Purpose – Non-value adding activities or wastes in the lean term have been the major challenge of the construction industry. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate how such wastes can be reduced so as to improve the performance of the construction industry. However, the aspect of bricks production process (BPP) has not been extensively covered. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of lean manufacturing concepts in BPP with a view to identifying the various wastes in the practice, the causes of these wastes and how such wastes can be reduced. Design/methodology/approach – Mixed methods research design was adopted by the researchers where literature review was first conducted to establish the fundamental theories and practice standards of lean manufacturing process. Thereafter, a phenomenological study was carried out in a Shelter Clay and Brick Factory located in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. The data obtained in the phenomenological study were analyzed through content analysis. These data served as the basis for the validation survey that subsequently followed the phenomenological study. Findings – The findings in the study show that poor or inadequate supervision is the main factor responsible for wastes such as excessive drying of bricks, overheating of bricks and re-glazing of bricks in Nigerian BPP. Research limitations/implications – The study focused on the various wastes in Nigerian BPP. It also focused on the various lean tools/techniques that can be adopted to reduce the wastes. Aspects such as the percentage of the wastes and their cost implication on the factory were not covered during the study and could be further investigated by prospective researchers. Practical implications – The study provides knowledge on how lean thinking can be adopted to reduce wastes in BPP. Such knowledge may be beneficial to the present and prospective bricks producers. This implies that the proposed framework in the study allows producers of bricks to identify gaps in their implementation efforts, focus attention on areas that may require improvements, and access the benefits of lean approach in their factory products. The proposed framework may also be beneficial to the academics. Originality/value – This paper first gain originality in the study context to propose for a lean framework that can be adopted to reduce wastes in BPP. Furthermore, the paper has not been previously published and all the information obtained from other sources are duly referenced.
Entrepreneurial and Functional Building Technology Education as a Means of Achieving Vision 2020 in Nigeria
(In Journal of Modern Applied Science, Published by Canadian Centre of Science and Education, 2012-09) Igwe, C.O.; Puyate, S. T.; Onoh, C. E. C.; Eze, C. J.
Abstract: Entrepreneurial and functional building technology education, if well positioned has the potentials of launching Nigeria into the first 20 world economies by the year 2020. This paper integrates the industrial, educational and entrepreneurial activities that results in increased productivity. Functional building technology career broadly categorised into professional and non-professional. The paper reviewed the entrepreneurial prospects open to the non-professional builders trained in the technical institutions equipped with the knowledge and skills to competently perform in the building construction sites as craftsmen, technicians and technologist. Also, other entrepreneurial activities in the public and private sectors at both small and medium scale capacity. The review presented inadequate budgetary allocation to the education sector, dearth of infrastructural facilities, also, the gap existing between the construction industry and the technical institutions. It recommended, increased funding and acquisition of modern equipment/machine and adequate infrastructural facilities. Also, establish a sustainable linkage between the construction industry and technical institutions. Implementation of these will result in increased productivity, robust economy and actualization of the nation’s vision 2020.
Evaluation of Traditional Methods in the Maintenance of Mud Houses for Environmental Sustainability in Northern Nigeria
(In Journal of Architecture and Construction-Sryahwa Publication, 2018) Eze, C. J.; Obaje, J. A.; Zubairu, S. N.
Over the years, one of the major problems of traditional housing provision is poor maintenance habit/technique. Building maintenance is a subject that has to be considered seriously if buildings are to live up to their expected life span. Earth has been in use in all ancient cultures, every continent, in every age and is being recorded as one of the oldest and sustainable building materials on the planet known for over 9000 years but has the highest challenge of rapid deterioration. The research evaluated the problems caused as result of negligence in regular maintenance of mud houses in Nigeria and as well proffered various traditional methods to their maintenance which consequently improves the sustainability of the built environment. Qualitative research carried out through the administering of questionnaires, interviews and observations in some villages in the northern part of Nigeria has shown that buildings are left without proper maintenance or cared for minimally not following any particular routine. This scenario has resulted to diversified problems such as rapid depreciation or deterioration; low life span and eventually building collapses. The research concludes that there should be routine and regular maintenance of structures for apt environment sustainability.
Geotechnical Assessment of Clay Deposits in Minna, North-Central Nigeria for Use as liners in Sanitary Landfill Design and Construction
(American Journal of Environmental Protection, published by Science and Education Publishing, 2015) Amadi, A. N.; Okunlola, I. A.; Eze, C. J.; Jimoh, M. O.; Unuevho, C. I.; Abubakar, F.
Abstract Sanitary landfills are waste disposal method that functions without creating nuisance to the environment. It confines waste to the available area, reduce waste to the minimum practical volume. The waste in a landfill reacts to release a cocktail of contaminants called leachate, which posses treat to the surrounding environment (soil and groundwater). Therefore, barrier soils are required for the lining of a landfill to prevent seepage of leachate into the surrounding groundwater and subsequent contamination of the groundwater system. Some clay in Minna was assessed using geotechnical techniques to determine its suitability as barrier soils. Five samples of clay were subjected to grain size analysis, atterberg limits, compaction tests and mineralogy test. From the grain size analysis and the atterberg limit, the soil is classified as a clayey material. The liquid limit ranged from 45.5%-61% with a mean value of 51.8% which is an indication of high plasticity and low hydraulic conductivity, the plastic limit ranged from 29.2%-35.8% with a mean value of 32.44% and its plasticity index ranged from 13.7%-25.2% with a mean value of 19.37% which implies that the clay can withstand volumetric shrinkage on drying and exhibit a low to medium swelling potential when wet. The compaction test reveal an optimum moisture content(OMC) ranging from 17.7% to 24% with a mean value of 19.94% and a maximum dry density (MDD) that varied from 1.59g/cm3 to 1.76g/cm3 with a mean value of 1.7g/cm3. This results of these geotechnical analysis suggests that the clay in the area meets the requirement for a barrier soil. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the presence of kaolinite dominated clay and mixed clay (kaolinite-illite). These minerals have the capability to attenuate and contain leachates from wastes. Hence, the studied clays are good barrier soils.
IMPLICATIONS OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSING EXPOSURE TO URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE ON RESIDENT’S WELLBEING IN MINNA, NIGERIA
(In Journal of Khulna University Studies, 2022) Akande, O. K.; Adenle,A. A.; Emechebe, L. C.; Lembi, J. J.; Ahmed, S.; Eze, C. J.; Ajayi, M. R
Environmental noise constitutes a major contributor to environmental pollution, with its unintended consequences posing a serious challenge to public health in the built environment. This study assessed the perception and the implications of urban environmental noise on urban residents' wellbeing. Data was collected using a sound pressure level meter and a self-developed questionnaire. Findings from eight hundred and eighty (880) responses obtained through random sampling were analysed and benchmarked against national (50 dBA) and international (55 dBA) standards by the WHO. The results showed that noise from places of worship and traffic noise were rated high, with about 75 percent of the respondents indicating that environmental noise negatively impacts their wellbeing. The study suggested the need for improved environmental quality in the built environment. It advocated for synergistic interventions from architects, other built environment professionals, and environmental protection agencies to tackle urban environmental pollution in residential environments. The contribution of this research lies in the necessity for further investigation, since it has important ramifications for architects, urban planners, and urban managers.