Effects of changing climate variables on residential building fabrics in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change has become a global concern and its impact has continued to affect human lives, influencing the livelihood of most people across the globe and the concern is based on increasing records, incidents and impacts of climate related disasters on physical infrastructures. This study evaluated the effects of changing climate variables on residential buildings fabrics in North Central, Nigeria. Data on climate pattern for the last thirty years were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and Data Interim (DIT), and were analysed using trend analysis. The Mohr’s test kit was utilised to establish the extent of the climate defects on residential building fabrics within the study area using severity index calculation. The study revealed constant fluctuations in climate variables within the study area with Nasarawa and Kogi States recording peaks in solar intensity and rainfall readings. Also, most of the buildings investigated experienced effects of climate in one way or the other showing defects such as flaking of mortar, biological growths, blistering and peeling of paints. Based on the results obtained from the study, recommendations include provision of moisture barriers, surface water drains around buildings, use of fibre materials, use of bright colours for finishing’s and introduction of larger sized windows around residential buildings.