Whereas the level of use of geosynthetics on continental basis is generally considered to be low, little is known of country-specific studies that unravel the constraints to the use of geosynthetics for civil engineering infrastructure in the construction industry. Thus, this study seeks to identify the underlying constraints to the use of geosynthetics for civil engineering infrastructure in Ghana and determine the relative significance of each of the underlying constraints on the use of geosynthetics for civil engineering infrastructure in Ghana. A mixed methodology was employed. A structured questionnaire and structured interview helped in data collection. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, one sample t-test, and the Relative Significance Index (RSI). Nineteen (19) underlying constraints were identified as the constraints to the use of geosynthetics in Ghana. Each recorded a significant RSI value from 0.70 to 0.95 and t-test values were statistically significant. The lack of a geosynthetic research institute to champion research-driven campaigns for geosynthetics use in Ghana, and the use of geosynthetics is not prioritized in the manifestos of political parties in Ghana were unique constraints to this Ghana study only. In terms of civil and construction engineering practices, this study has offered an understanding of the constraints to the use of geosynthetics in Ghana and provided the theoretical basis for future geosynthetic-related studies.
This study was conducted to identify the gaps that exist between ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine construction practices in Cape Coast, Ghana, and conventional technical guidelines, and to assess how any non-compliance with technical guidelines influences the users' perception of odour and fly nuisances. An inspection guide was used to assess 127 VIP latrines, while a questionnaire survey was used to obtain feedback from 211 users of the latrines on their perception of odour and fly nuisance. Not a single latrine was found to be fitted with a vent pipe that satisfied the recommended diameter of 150 mm. Aside from the vent pipe diameter, only 5.5% of latrines complied with all four other design guidelines that were assessed. However, with the exception of failure to install insect screens on vent pipes, which was associated with the users seeing flies in the latrine cubicles, failure to comply with other guidelines did not necessarily lead to significantly higher user perception of the targeted nuisance. The findings of the study suggest that user perception of odour in their latrines may be more influenced by non-structural factors such as the management or cleanliness of the latrines rather than their structural designs.
Public latrines are patronized by more than 34% of the Ghanaian population. With high usage rate, the pits get full quickly requiring frequent desludging. One of the solutions for dealing with full pits is the use of pit latrine additives but studies have produced variable results. This research assessed excreta degradability and efficacy of pit latrine additives in Cape Coast. Homogenous fresh faeces were taken from three public pit latrines for characterization and additives study. The efficacy of two commercial additives and household ash were tested at the laboratory for 30days at ambient temperature (22°C) under aerobic conditions. For each trial, three different treatments (control, water and additives) were studied. The results show that the soluble COD, particulate COD, moisture content and organic solids content were respectively 0.04 -0.08 mg/mg dry sample, 0.10 -0.24 mg/mg dry sample, 70 -76% dry sample and 71 -76% dry sample for all the three pits before additives application. All the samples recorded a reduction in the characteristics after additives application except for Additive B which recorded an increase. The mass of waste in each unit decreased with time over the 30days after applying the additives. Except for additive B (2.6% and 4.1%), all the other treatments recorded a net mass loss of 5.6% -7.7% of their original mass. However, additives A and C did not have any significant effect on the physico-chemical characteristics and degradation rate of the fresh faeces.Copy Right, IJAR, 2016,. All rights reserved. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Introduction:-Developing and developed countries alike are faced with the problem of human excreta management particularly in the urban and peri-urban areas. Latrines are provided to ensure hygienic separation of faeces from human contact. In all cases, the containment system of the toilet block holds the excreta temporarily or provides the needed environment for partial or full decomposition of the excreta. Once the containment system gets full, desludging becomes a problem for users. The high cost of emptying coupled with the long waiting time between the pit filling up and an emptying service being acquired forces users to resort to other means of excreta disposal which may not be improved.
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