Development of Sustainable Building Materials from Agro- Industrial Wastes in Nigeria

Abstract

One of the continuing challenges posed by unprecedented urbanisation in Nigeria, estimated at about 5% per annum, is the provision of adequate and affordable housing. The shortage in housing, due in part to the ever-rising prices of construction materials, makes it logical to consider alternative building materials. Paradoxically, Nigeria is grappling with the challenges of managing solid waste, many of which could find suitable applications in the production of cement-, concrete-and clay-based walling, roofing and ceiling products as well as pozzolans for partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement. The objective of this chapter is to present information on the development, experimental investigations and practical application of sustainable building materials from agro-industrial wastes in Nigeria. Agroforestry residues such as bagasse and corn cob ashes have been found suitable as pozzolans; cement-and clay-bonded reinforced composite roofing tiles, hollow concrete blocks and stabilised clay bricks have been developed using a variety of lignocelluloses as sources of fibre reinforcement, while biomaterial substitutes for steel reinforcement in concrete have been tested. However, for these products to become widely acceptable, greater awareness has to be created among all stakeholders in the building construction industry, coupled with the development of appropriate building codes.

Explicit Study of Epoxy/ Momordica Angustisepala Fiber and Rice Husk Ash Nanoparticle Composites for Roofing Sheet Application

“…The linear structural analysis of the developed roofing sheets with sustainable materials shows Von stress of 52.25 MPa obtained in this study was attributed to the stiffness and strength obtained in this composite which is as a result of toughness obtained by the reinforcement that gives a minimum factor of safety of 2.18 (Figure 11). The value strength and factor of safety obtained are within the recommended standard for roofing sheets application [1,2].…”

“…In recent years there was the emphasis to produced roofing sheets in the building and construction industry using composites materials reinforced with sustainable materials such as industrial and agricultural wastes [1,2]. The use of industrial and agricultural wastes in the production of high strength and lightweight roofing sheets can reduce the cost of building and construction since the cost of roof sheets constitute up to 8% of the overall cost of building [3,4].…”

Mechanical and Thermomechanical Properties of Clay-Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata Walp.) Husks Polyester Bio-Composite for Building Applications

“…In such production systems, materials which ordinarily will be discarded as waste are converted to useful materials [18,19]. One of the sustainable ways to bring down the cost of building materials, contribute towards affordable housing in Africa and ensure environmental sustainability is to apply this concept of circular economy in developing new composite materials from waste to support the building industry [20,21].…”

Dimensionnal stability and strength appraisal of termite hill soil stabilisation using hybrid bio-waste and cement for eco-friendly housing

“…Agricultural waste is the residue or undesirable outcome generated from the cultivation and processing of raw agricultural products such as crops, fruits, etc. [ 16 ]. Borassus fruit is an agricultural product which is abundantly available (In Africa and Asia [ 17 ]) but considered as waste in sub-Saharan Africa as the leave and trunk are the only part used traditionally.…”