Construction: Experts identify major challenge for fabric-cast concrete

The use of concrete within building has been on for hundreds of years and has increasingly become one of the most applied materials within construction industry, but professionals identified one of its major disadvantages as its heavy size.

Once cement is dried, concrete provides solid, permanent structures which are durable, weather resistant and reliable.

Speaking on the reliability of the method, the Second Vice President, Nigerian Institute Of Builders (NIOB), Mr Kunle Awobodu, who is also President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), while emphasizing the reliability of the method, noted that the weight is always a challenge, especially, to small scale firms who lack the financial power to purchase the necessary equipment.

This inability is the reason why most of them still engage in wet construction method, which not only takes time, but it also occupies space on site, thereby making construction process somewhat cumbersome.

“It’s not that pre-fabrication of concrete is new, even here in Nigeria, but it requires heavy equipment to transport from depot to the sites and this is why big time firms are the ones that make use of the method in their construction activities.

Another commentator, Abdulahi Ahmed, a Civil engineer, stated that the prefabricated method sometimes combined with wet construction model based on certain peculiarities.

“Not every construction can be done with the use of concrete method, but with admixture of both wet and dry construction methods, infrastructure that solely relies on dry method are bridges and some special buildings.

“But in order of preference, dry construction method is far better, but with its weight that requires heavy equipment for lifting from one location to the other.”

Giving further insight on the issue, Dr Femi Akindele, a construction expert, based in Ikeja, Lagos, noted that market for the global dry construction industry has seen an extensive upward surge since 2009.   According to Akindele, global dry construction market is projected to reach USD 79.08 billion by 2020, with a 5.3 per cent during the forecast period, (2015 to 2020).

“After the economic slowdown, new constructions have come up in large numbers, the high requirements for fast implementation of construction site, and the inexpensive nature, with the Asia-Pacific region accounted for around 33 percent of the total market share in terms of value, followed by the North American and European regions.

“However, as the dry construction market in developed countries is getting matured, the markets in developing countries such as China, Indonesia, and India are estimated to grow at a higher rate from 2015 to 2020. China is estimated to grow faster than any other country because of its high population along with new constructions coming up in the next five years,” said Akindele, noting that dry construction market has been growing in accordance with the construction industry.

With growing awareness about global warming and concerns about the environment, people are opting for eco-friendly techniques of constructions, which have had an impact on the market for dry construction products.

Just recently, chairman Nigerian Institute of Architects, Ladipo Lewis, at the launch of prototype house known as Kalsi Experience Centre by Nigerite Limited in the Lagos, lent his voice to the acceptability of dry construction method.

Lewis noted that it was high time Nigerians embraced change because of the numerous advantages therein.

“The system is a more versatile and faster construction method, allowing up to 70 per cent construction time saving when compared with the traditional wet construction that involves using of bricks and blocks.

“Unlike the traditional brick and block method, the system, requires minimum use of water and it generates minimum construction waste, preserves room temperature and provides energy efficiency,” he added.