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Assessment of Selected Dams in Kwara State, Nigeria

Olukanni, D. O. and Adedeji, Adeola A. and Salami, A. W. (2017) Assessment of Selected Dams in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Research Information in Civil Engineering, 14 (2). pp. 1561-1573.

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Abstract

In Nigeria, more than 50% of the geographical area lies in the Savannah. Over time, this area has been vulnerable to the vagaries of periodic and severe droughts, affecting the survival of man and animals. Safe and economic design and construction of dams to store surplus river waters thus assumed greater urgency. However, dam failures and flood issues has caused catastrophic damages and losses of lives and properties. The uncertainties associated with deteriorating dams have necessitated proper and timely assessment and rehabilitation of these structures. This study identifies and investigates relapse in four (4) selected dams in Kwara State namely: Unilorin-, Malete-, Okuta- Oja- and Asa-dam. A series of field inspection was carried out and results obtained were analyzed. Amongst the four dams, Okuta-Oja dam displayed the worst case of relapse with seepages through the foundation and body of the dam. About 20 baffle blocks out of 30 have been damaged in Unilorin dam, while Malete dam was undergoing re-construction owing to seepage failure. Asa dam however remains intact with no physical and structural defect. Unless appropriately handled, ageing and relapsing infrastructural systems can pose a significant problem, threatening economic prosperity and public safety. Thus, monitoring the state of dam structures to ensure timely maintenance is critically important to preventing catastrophic disasters.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Dam, Relapse, Assessment, Seepage, Breach, Failure
Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Civil Engineering and the Environment
Depositing User: Mrs Hannah Akinwumi
Date Deposited: 06 Sep 2017 14:24
Last Modified: 06 Sep 2017 14:24
URI: http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/9182

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