Modelling of Typical Square Footing for Sustainable Infrastructure (Published)
This study investigated the empirical modelling of a typical square footing with a focus on predicting bearing capacity. To achieve the aim of the study, soil samples were collected from identified construction sites withjn Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Southwestern Nigeria. The samples were subjected to preliminary and geotechnical engineering tests, using standard procedure. The values of bearing capacity (square footing) of the soils were also computed using Terzaghi;s bearing capacity equation. Subsequently, Microsoft Excel tool was used to develop multilinear regression bearing capacity model models by relating computed bearing capacity values and experimental values of selected soil properties. Validation of the models showed moderate predictive capability, confirming the practicality of simplified approaches for preliminary design. The results demonstrate that soil gradation and plasticity significantly affect load-bearing behaviour. The findings highlight the importance of combining experimental data with numerical tools to improve accuracy in geotechnical design. The study contributes to sustainable infrastructure development by providing cost-effective and reliable methods for foundation analysis. Ultimately, the integration of statistical modelling offers a robust framework for optimising shallow foundation performance in heterogeneous soil conditions.
Keywords: Bearing capacity, Modelling, Sustainable Development, footing, foundation
Eco-Friendly Buildings: The Architect’s Perspectives (Published)
In today’s Architectural practice, there is a struggle to find the ways to balance or harmonize environmental technology, protection of resources and aesthetic content. And the world has witnessed some level of significant industrial and technological revolution. The revolution, despite its acclaimed benefits to humanity has resulted to a worrisome level of interaction with our environment. . One point of a great concern, with regard to the eco-system, is that as the global greenhouse gas level continue to rise, the planet’s temperature with corresponding rise, resulting in the melting of the ice caps and seriously altering global weather conditions. Current estimates calculate that the world built environment account for approximately one third of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions whilst consuming 40% of the world’s energy. However, the challenge facing environmental architecture is meting the increasing demand for revolutionary architectural solutions while mitigating its impact on the eco-system. The aim of this paper therefore, is to critically review current ecologic design concept/environmental technology using secondary and primary data. The effect of the built environment on the co-system which has resulted in consistent rise in global temperature in the past three decades was accessed. The paper recommends adopting more eco-friendly design approach, passive design methods and use of renewable energy source amongst others as key for achieving eco-friendly building. Finally we conclude that moving from a sectional prism of viewing environmentalism largely driven by sectional issues involving pollution, resources and biodiversity to a more holistic view point that recognizes the inherent interdependence of all life systems is the right way forward and we therefore call on Architects to embrace it.
Keywords: Building, Eco-Friendly, Ecological Design, Green Architecture, Sustainable Development