Investigation into the Strength and Durability of Floor Finishes in Residential Building Projects in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The constant failing of floor finishes and the cost of repairs of residential building in the study area motivated the study. The aim of the study was to ascertain: the prevalent floor finish types used in the study area, the critical material properties of typical floor finish in the area, their strength and durability. The choice of sample floor finish was determined by the frequency of usage of such floor finish in the study area and the availability of such floor finish types in the market. The population for the survey was reduced to 278 participants. Mixed method design (survey and experiment) was adopted. The result indicated that floor tiles is the most preferred and used floor finish in residential building constructions in the area  while water absorption by weight, abrasion resistance, and modulus of rupture were critical material properties which determined strength and durability of floor tile finish. Also, SON laboratory test experiment revealed that typical floor tile finishes used in area did not reach class 5 standardization with only one floor tile finish out of four other types reaching class 4 at 0.1% coefficient of water absorption, ≤ 2100 resistance to surface abrasion and 37.4 modulus of rupture without recordable finish failure. Furthermore, the relationship between floor finish strength and durability was ascertained at k = 46.74, p < .05 (n = 277, df = 9) indicating that floor finish strength influenced its durability at r = .734*, p < .05, (n = 277). The study concluded that floor tile finish material properties used in the study area do not comply with the regulatory standard which is the reason for constant floor finish failure in the area. It is recommended that regulatory authorities should enforce compliance to industry standard and sanction offenders.