Environmental impact on historic monuments in

Nigeria
A.A. Adedeji1 and B. O. Opeyokun 2
1.2
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin,
Ilorin, Nigeria
1
E-mail: gaiadeji@gmail.com aaadeji@unilorin.edu.ng

ABSTRACT: Meteorological data (annual/daily rainfall, wind force, solar radiation) and other
environmental variables were collected from various locations in Nigeria. Large number of existing
monumental buildings (traditional and artistic) was inspected for different types of material
deterioration, due to environmental impact. Analyses of the results indicate that 35% of the monuments
are in partial collapse form. Most building elements affected by severe deterioration include walls of
solid blocks (48%) and of earth (30%) for traditional, while 78% and 2% are for artistic monuments
respectively. Moss growths are relatively thick, while 26% of the metal materials have corroded
mildly. Fault-tree analysis also showed that moisture attack is the major medium through which these
monuments deteriorate. 36% of monuments built in sandy terrain deteriorate faster than those situated
at clay, isolated or swampy areas, while human activities and vehicular movements affect 82% of the
monuments. In commercial areas, most affected are the artistic moments. Suburban moments are fairly
represented as control models.

1 INTRODUCTION

Monument has historical implications. Different and religions hold monuments and icons
scared. Historical events are immortalized in monuments. Very few examples include [1,
2,3,4,5,]: Eiffel Tower (Paris); The leaning Tower of Pisa (Tuscan, Italy); Status of
Liberty (USA); Westminster Abbey (London); Taj Mahaj (India); Great Zimbabwe;
Great Pyramids (Egypt); Sidney Opera House (Australia); House of Image (Nigeria);
Osun Groove (Nigeria) among others.. Like any other living and non – living things,
these monuments are also subjected to harsh weather and they are therefore liable to
deterioration. Tourism is a unique and economically viable institution anywhere in the
world, and the centre of attraction i.e. the monumental structures themselves. A rickety
building is nauseating indeed.
Presently in Nigeria, the surface and other general portions of most monuments are
deteriorating fast: plasters spalling, fine and wide cracks developed, partial and total
collapse of structural elements are also prominent in theses structures. Actually most of
these monuments are cases of claustrophobia to the public. Most of them do not serve
their purpose any longer.
This work examines the cause of decay and the extent of damages to these buildings,
due to effect of rainfall, sun radiation, wind, air, condition and other Meteorological
variables on the various but common building materials used for these Monumental
elements. Adequate discussion was made according to the analysis of the examination of
the building specimens. The Monument specimens in this work cover three major zones,
which represent to the average meteorological conditions in Nigerian. Data were
collected from these zones (South-westerly moisture laden winds and the North-easterly
dry and dusty winds) for the analysis.
 In order to give the idea of climatic condition in these zones, Fig. 1 shows the
average annual rainfalls for a period of five years in Nigeria. In general; the South-West
wind is associated with the rainy season, which start in April, reaches its peak in July and
virtually ends in October. Average annual rainfall is 1,2200 m. the dry season starts in
December with reversal of the wind system to the north.

Fig. 1 Average daily rainfall (Source: Olofintoye [7]

The harmattan season continues till the end of March. Relative humidity falls
considerably during this period. The mean annual temperature is 29oc [7]. The land is
made up of pre-Cambrians rocks, the basement complex from which the fairly clayey
loam is formed. The maximum sun intensity, occur between 13 -15 hours is 625w/m2 for
vertical placed structural element. In other to conduct reconnaissance and actual survey
of the existing monuments, sites were visited and records of findings were documented.
The monuments examined are grouped into three categories; (1) traditional, which
includes palaces and shrines; (2) religion, such as churches and mosque; (3) a political,
of few legacies from colonial, seat of powers and status.
In this work however, these are re-grouped into two parts for simplification:
traditional and artistic [8, 9].

2 MATERIAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE MONUMENTS

In this nation, the common materials primarily used for monument construction vary
from laterite to clay bricks (unburnt and burnt), sand, gravel and processed silica or lime
to act as binders. Wood was engaged as panels (widows and doors), trusses and for
stability (structural frame) and few traces of steel constructions
 In recent times however, sandcrete for masonry (with cement mortar joints), concrete
(beam, slab and column), crushed quarry rocks, chippings and clean sharp river sand and
gravels are being used.

3 SOURCES OF DEGRADATION TO THE MONUMENT

The common mechanism by which the monument structures deteriorate, are categorised
into: (a) chemical/biological attack on structural elements and units, due to water and
water –born acids, pollution and chemicals released by growing plants [10], (b) corrosion
of embedded steel components, reinforcing rods, hangers, etc (c) erosion of units of
mortar by particles in flowing water and wind, by frost attack, by salt crystallization and
by sand carried by fierce gales, (d) stress related effect due to movement of foundations,
vibration, overloading, moisture and thermal in bricks, blocks and in other building units.
(e) staining due to inflorescence, lime, silica, iron and vanadium. This assessment is
shown in Fig. 2.
Monument degradation

COLLAPSE COLLAPSE

Member
Internal cracking Internal cracking
deterioration

Constant
water
Thermal Constant Poor
reaction water workmanshi Aggregate
destruction
Physical effect, Chemical effect
demolition, fire, Chemical
etc Attack
Aggregate
Chemicals/ destruction
Staining Pollution Stress
Biological attacks

Rain runoff Poor

Precipitation of Material Chloride/sulphate from workmanship
dissolved material reaction with water Industrial/agric Vibration Moisture
water movement
Lack of water Immediate vicinity in water
Water/chemical

Thermal
effect
Lime
Industri Human Agric.
al waste waste Growth of
Effloures- waste plants
cence

Poor Poor
Vans Vans
material coating
dium Dium Vehicle Activity in
movement Vicinity
Figure 2: Fault tree Analysis
4 METHODOLOGY

The basis for analysis in this work involves: age of a building, material composition,
immediate vicinity (geological make up, urban settlement, sub-urban settlement and
vehicular movement), structural failure (collapse and cracking), and degradation (moss
growth, spalling of mortars, etc). The total occurrence, distribution and intensity of these
data were examined. Typical examples, relating to name, type of building/material
composition, failure types and their causes, are shown in Figs 3 and 4. The figures
feature typical failures and deterioration of sandcrete and earth walls respectively.

Year Built: 1901 Year Built: 1917

Type of Building: A museum Type of Building: masquerade preparation house
Failure: A deep cracks; peeling of bottom paint Failure: Plaster peeling off the wall
Possible Cause of Failure: Settlement of Possible cause of failure: effect of rain wash;
foundation, splashed of rain water on wall poor cohesion between plaster and wall

Fig. 3 Sandcrete wall Fig. 4 Earth wall

5 ANALYSES AND DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS

The mean value obtained is the total number of monuments divided by the overall
number of the monuments (N). For instance in Table 1, the galvanized iron sheet of mean
value of 0.87(0.45) was used roof cover for traditional (artistic) monument respectively,
while the least used materials is the thatch of 0.13(0.0).
The groups mean values is the averages of the mean values in each group.
Considering the structural failure shown in Table 2 the group means vary in proportions
and have no relationship whatsoever. For collapse, corrosion, staining and element
cracking group means vary from 0.2, 04, 0.35 and 0.51 respectively. This indicates that
more than half of the monuments, mostly traditional, have notable cracks of elements.
The highest occurrence (frequency), the mean of the highest value, is greater than the
group means. It allows the most common detail highlighted. Taking the structural failure
in Table 2 again, it is observed that partial collapse, deep and fine cracking are highly
occurring in these monuments. However, lower occurrence is observed in a total collapse
and wall cracking.
 Table la: Material composition (structural elements)
WALL ROOF FLOOR

Statistical
Data

Hollow bloc

Bare ground
Solid block

Iron sheet

picketing
Concrete

Concrete
Laterite

Laterite
Mortar

Stones
Wood

Wood

thatch
TRADITIONAL MONUMENTS: N = 23
Total No. 11 6 7 4 4 19 20 3 5 4 12 8 6 3
-3
Mean x10 48 26 30 17 17 83 87 13 22 17 52 35 26 13
Highest 48 87 52
occurrence
%
Lowest 17 13 13
occurrence
%
ARTISTIC MONUMENTS: N = 11
Total No. 8 2 0 2 0 5 5 0 4 2 6 0 0 1
-3
Mean x10 73 18 0 18 0 45 45 0 36 18 55 0 0 9
Highest 75 45 55
occurrence
%
Lowest 0.00 0.00 0.00
occurrence
%

Table Ib Material composition (renovation and finishes)

RENOVATION FINISHES OTHERS
un- finished
occasional

oil-paint
frequent

Laterite

Statistical Data
biscuit
recent
never

steel

rock

ARTISTIC MONUMENTS N = 23
Total No. 8 3 2 13 8 6 2 4 0 1
-3
Mean x 10 35 13 8 57 35 26 8 17 0 43
Highest occurrence (%) 57 35 17

Lowest occurrence (%) 8.7 8.7 0.00

ARTISTIC MONUMENTS N = 11
Total No. 4 0 3 4 7 1 3 0 3 1
Mean x 10 -3 36 0 27 36 63 9 27 0 27 9
Highest occurrence (%) 36 63 27

Lowest occurrence (%) 0.00 0.09 0.00

 Table 1c: Material composition (immediate vicinity)
GEOLOGICAL MAKE-UP URBAN SURBURBAN
Vehicles
movement

Homogenous

Commercial
Statistical

Residential
Industrial
Data

Outskirt
Schools
Swamp

Houses
Market
Water
Bush
Sand

High
Clay

Med

Low
TRADITIONAL MONUMENTS: N = 23
Total No. 8 2 2 4 3 13 4 11 13 5 9 8 1 6 4 4
Mean x 10 -4 35 8 8 17 20 57 17 48 57 22 39 35 4 26 17 17
Highest 0.87 0.57 0.39 0.26
occurrence
(%)
Lowest 0.087 0.00 0.22 0.043
occur. (%)
ARTISTIC MONUMENTS: N = 11
Total No. 1 4 1 1 1 10 5 7 9 6 3 4 1 1 0 1
Mean x10-4 9 36 9 9 9 90 45 63 82 55 27 36 9 9 0 9
Highest 0.09 0.00 0.27 0.00
occur. %
Lowest 0.09 0.00 0.27 0.00
occur. %

Table 2: Structural failure and degradation

COLLAPSE CRACKING MOSS CORROSI MORTAR
GROWTH ON SPALLING
Statistical Total
Data
Pop out
partial

<50%

>50%

Thick

Sever
Mind
Deep

Thin
Map

Fine

Yes

No
TRADITIONAL MONUMENTS: N = 23
Total No. 8 2 4 11 8 14 14 8 12 6 5 12 7
Mean x10-2 35 8.7 17 48 35 61 61 35 52 36 22 52 30
Group mean 0.20 0.51 0.44 0.24 0.41
Highest 35 61 52 36 52
occurrence
(%)
Lowest 17 35 35 22 30
occurrence
(%)
ARTISTIC MONUMENT = 11
Total No. 3 2 1 5 4 8 5 4 6 3 3 9 2
Mean. 10-2 27 18 09 45 36 73 45 36 55 27 27 82 18
Group mean 0.18 0.49 0.46 0.27 0.5
Highest 27 73 55 27 82
occurrence
(%)
Lowest 9 36 36 27 18
occurrence
(%)
 Table 3: Degradation due to environmental attacks
Statistical MOISTURE CONTENT BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
Date Direction Element Plant

Other insects
Foundation
Downward

Embedded
Upwards

Termites
Crevices

Isolated
Creep
Floor

Birds
Roof
Wall
TRADITIONAL MONUMENTS: N = 23
Total No. 23 10 18 21 30 5 10 11 12 4 4 11 12
Mean x10-2 100 43 78 91 87 22 43 48 52 17 35 48 52
Group 0.66 0.39 0.42
mean
High 100 52 52
occurrence
(%)
Lowest 22 17 35
occurrence
(%)
ARTISTIC MONUMENTS: N = 11
Total No. 11 7 7 11 9 4 8 5 4 1 3 4 7
Mean 100 67 67 100 82 36 73 45 36 09 27 36 46
Group 0.72 0.30 0.42
mean
Highest 100 45 46
occurrence
(%)
Lowest 36 9 27
occurrence
(%)

6 CONCLUSION

The following conclusions are drawn from this work:

35% of the examined monument buildings have partially collapsed and have yet to
loose their stiffness. They were unsightly.
Deep cracks are common in most of the buildings with 61% crack starting out fine, but
invariable deepen due to repeated exposure to moisture. Moss growths on the monuments
studied are relatively thin. This is the same in both the artistic and traditional structures.
They are however only slightly more occurring than thin moss growth by 26% of these
monuments that have corroded mildly, while mortals of 26%monuments have spelled.
Most deteriorated members are the door with 57%, window with 61.5% and paint
with 73.5%. These monument exhibit th26%monuments have spelled. Most deteriorate
member are the door with 57%, window with 61.5%and paint with 73.5%. These
monuments exhibit their decay through Peeling or faded paints, broken glasses of the
openings panels. Moisture movement was 100% upwardly. 64%of these monuments are
severely stained, due to aggressive environments. 55% and 69% of these monuments lies
within the residential commercial Area, of urban settlement, respectively.
Water is generally linked with stains, due to biological attack on These structures.
Transportation of pollutants, corrosion of embedded structural Steel, external or internal
cracking all invariably lead to loss of stiffness and strength of these building, which
eventual lead to structural failure (partial total)
Close observation from the result of this work, on both the traditional and Artistic
monuments, show that the neglect and lack of awareness, by the appropriate Authorities
contributed to these aforementioned failures, and deterioration. It is also observed that
lack of technological (structural and environment) advisory body, on the appropriate use
of building materials that respond to the ecological system of the Areas in which these
structures situate, contribute to these problems. Water resistant material should be looked
into in designing isolated structures.

7. REFERENCES

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