oalib

OALib Journal期刊

ISSN: 2333-9721

费用：99美元

投稿

时间不限

( 2024 )

( 2023 )

( 2022 )

( 2021 )

自定义范围…

匹配条件： “ Kofi Agyekum” ，找到相关结果约315条。
列表显示的所有文章，均可免费获取
第1页/共315条
每页显示 条
Factors Inhibiting the Use of Bamboo in Building Construction in Ghana: Perceptions of Construction Professionals  [PDF]
Desmond Opoku, Joshua Ayarkwa, Kofi Agyekum
Materials Sciences and Applications (MSA) , 2016, DOI: 10.4236/msa.2016.72008
Abstract: There is a growing concern of the integration of bamboo as a material into the building construction industry even though its potential is underscored. Certain factors serve as barriers to the use of bamboo in building construction. This study employed a questionnaire survey which sought to investigate the perceptions of 84 Architects and 100 Senior Managers of small and medium scale Building construction firms on the factors that influence the use of bamboo in building construction. Relative Importance Index and Chi-squared tests were performed to identify the significant factors that influence the use of bamboo in building construction. The results showed that the building contractors considered nonspecification of bamboo for building projects by Architects, inadequate bamboo processing companies in Ghana and insufficient cooperation from government to be the key factors which influence the use of bamboo for building construction. The results further showed that the Architects considered lack of knowledge in bamboo detailing, limited knowledge of bamboo and lack of expertise to use it, and inadequate bamboo processing companies to be the key influential factors inhibiting the use of bamboo in building construction. The results are of value to the construction industry as it identifies significant factors which influence the usage of bamboo in building construction. Promotion of bamboo usage in building construction should be given the needed publicity to create the awareness of its potential as a building material.
Professionals’ Perceptions on Construction Progress Measurement Methods Used in Ghana  [PDF]
James Cofie Danku, Kofi Agyekum, Francis Terkpertey Asare
World Journal of Engineering and Technology (WJET) , 2020, DOI: 10.4236/wjet.2020.82012
Abstract: Progress measurement is cardinal for effective project delivery. It assesses the physical amount of completed work within budgeted cost and manpower performance at a specified stage of the project. Effective progress measurement facilitates progress monitoring, an inevitability for identifying early warning？signs and confirmation of structured work proceeding. Different progress measuring methods are available and used for construction projects. They range from the traditional to the contemporary ones like three-dimensional and four-dimensional models. This paper examines current progress measurement methods used in the Ghanaian construction industry. Eight commonly employed methods were identified from the literature？and？rated by sixty-two construction professionals, practicing with tier one construction firms and construction consultancy services. Relative Important Index ranking and Mann-Whitney？U？test statistics were used to rank and check the consistency of survey responses. Cost Ratio ranked？the？highest, followed by Supervisor’s Opinion and Units？Completed. The fourth-ranked method was Time Ratio, then Incremental Milestone before Start-Finish.？Weighted/Equivalent Units？was at？the penultimate with Earned Value Analysis ranked？the？lowest. The study will not only underscore the relevance of the current project progress measurement practices and provoke prolific debates on their merits, but will also serve as a precursor for critical evaluation of the methods with the view to identifying？barriers militating against realistic progress assessment of construction works.
Critical Barriers to Traditional Project Progress Measurement: Perspectives of Ghanaian Construction Professionals  [PDF]
James Cofie Danku, Kofi Agyekum, Francis Terkpertey Asare
Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research (JBCPR) , 2020, DOI: 10.4236/jbcpr.2020.82008
Abstract: Accurate project progress measurement is critical for effective project management. Besides guarantying smooth work progress, it affords project managers the chance to identify early warning signs for peremptory remedial actions to keep the project on schedule and to budget. However, pertinent barriers can suppress the realization of the benefits of an accurate assessment of construction progress. This study aims to identify, examine and prioritize the critical barriers militating against accurate project progress measurement in the Ghanaian construction industry. Sixteen barriers identified from the literature were administered in a questionnaire survey to professionals with tier one construction firms and consultants. Sixty experienced construction professionals practising with tier-one construction firms and consultancy services took part in the survey. The relative importance index technique was used to rank the factors and correlation in responses of the two parties tested by the Mann-Whitney U statistics. The most critical barriers perceived by the professionals were 1) Reliance on Supervisor’s Judgement, 2) Generic and Non-Systematic Approach, 3) Variable Quality of Data and 4) Intricate Measurement Reports. Other highly ranked barriers include 5) Lack of Timely Information, 6) Laborious Data Gathering and 7) Quality Integration Constraint. The findings underpin the need to minimize dependence on subjective opinions and mere experiences of supervisors for assessment of project progress in this age of information technology. Incorporation of a level of automation into traditional progress methods will not only reduce human errors introduced into manually collected data but facilitate visualization of progress reports. Contiguous to a clear specification of the method of progress measurement in the contract document, a system that conveniently integrates cost, time and scope of work into progress measurement must be pursued. Addressing these identified critical barriers will consolidate current construction progress management practices.
An Exploratory Study into Social Cost Considerations in Ghanaian Construction Industry  [PDF]
James Cofie Danku, Theophilus Adjei-Kumi, Bernard Kofi Baiden, Kofi Agyekum
Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research (JBCPR) , 2020, DOI: 10.4236/jbcpr.2020.81002
Abstract: Construction causative nuisances, inconveniences, interferences and disruptions to the routine economic and social life patterns of adjacent or neighboring communities are referred to as social cost. This study explores the understanding and level of consideration of social cost by construction professionals in Ghana. Relevant literature sources are reviewed to define, rationalize and classify social cost. The study used the survey approach with a set of questionnaires addressed to construction contractors and professionals to gather the data. It was realized that not much consideration is given to social cost at the tender stage of the construction process. The five factors hindering social cost inclusion in tendering are “difficulty in allocating social costs”, “governmental interferences”, “lack of historical data”, “lack of appreciation of social costs” and “low stakeholder agitation”. The paper advocated for integration of social cost into the tendering process. The study will serve as a foundation to design a social cost assessment system at the pre-contract stage.
Holistic Diagnosis of Rising Damp and Salt Attack in Two Residential Buildings in Kumasi, Ghana
Kofi Agyekum,Joshua Ayarkwa,Christian Koranteng
Journal of Construction Engineering , 2014, DOI: 10.1155/2014/398627
Abstract: Rising damp is one of the most severe phenomena that leads to decay and deterioration of both old and modern types of buildings. This study employed a holistic approach to dampness investigation and sought to examine the problem of rising damp in the walls of two residential apartments in Kumasi, Ghana. The study sought to determine the types of soluble salts and their concentrations in the soils and accumulated percentages in the walls over time and whether there exists any linkage between the salts in the walls and those in the ground. Results from the geotechnical survey of the building sites found that the soils on site 1 consisted of silty sandy gravel with some clay particles and those on site 2 consisted of silty sandy soil with some clay and traces of gravel. The study identified several groups of salts in the walls of the buildings, with the most damaging and dangerous being magnesium sulphate, magnesium chloride, and sodium sulphate salts. Similar salts were identified in the soil samples from the trial pits. The results therefore indicate a linkage between the salts found in the ground and those found in the walls and therefore confirm the presence of rising dampness. 1. Introduction All buildings are expected to be constructed with materials which have the tendency to resist the effects of water throughout their service lives [1]. For buildings to perform this function, there is the need for correct design and maintenance throughout their service lives [1]. Moisture that should not be present in buildings is known as dampness [2]. Buildings are said to have dampness problems when the materials in the buildings become sufficiently damp, leading to materials damage or visible mold growth [2]. Ghana, a country with hotter and drier climate, has experienced dampness for several years [3]. In a study to identify the most dominant type(s) of dampness in residential buildings in Ghana, all the surveyed buildings were identified to have symptoms related to either rising dampness, condensation, or water penetration (including leakages) [3]. However, the most dominant type of dampness was found to be rising dampness as it was identified with many of the buildings surveyed [3]. Hygroscopic salts that led to surface efflorescence, decayed skirting, dampness below 1.5？m, and mold growth on walls up to 1？m high were among the symptoms identified with rising dampness in the surveyed buildings. The study recommended a more detailed investigation on selected buildings to identify the root cause of the problem. This paper involves a laboratory study to
Perceptions on Barriers to the Use of Burnt Clay Bricks for Housing Construction
Bernard K. Baiden,Kofi Agyekum,Joseph K. Ofori-Kuragu
Journal of Construction Engineering , 2014, DOI: 10.1155/2014/502961
Abstract: Burnt clay bricks can be readily manufactured in Ghana as all ten regions have significant clay deposits with the Ashanti region having the highest estimated deposit of 37.1 million metric tonnes. In recent times, burnt clay bricks have been regarded as old fashioned and replaced by other perceived modern walling units within Kumasi, the metropolitan capital of Ashanti Region, despite its availability, unique advantages (aesthetics, low maintenance cost, etc.), and structural and nonstructural properties. This study involved a questionnaire survey of 85 respondents made up of architects, brick manufacturing firms, and brick house owners or occupants in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana and sought to examine their perceptions on barriers to the use of burnt clay bricks for housing construction. The findings revealed that the key factors inhibiting the use of burnt clay bricks for housing construction are low material demand, excessive cost implications, inappropriate use in construction, noncompatibility of burnt clay bricks with other materials, unreliable production, and transportation problems. The findings however provide a platform for stakeholders to address the barriers to enable the extensive use of clay bricks in housing constructions. 1. Introduction The construction industry is very vital to the socioeconomic development and, in many countries, the yardstick for the measurement of national progress is hinged on the degree of contributions of the construction industry. The building materials sector is also a major contributor to the construction industry of every nation because materials constitute the single largest input in construction often accounting for about half of the total cost of most or any construction products [1–5]. Furthermore, Adedeji [6] noted that about 60% of the total house construction cost goes towards the purchase of construction materials. According to Abanda et al. [7] the share of materials often used in construction is huge and most other factors depend on them. A report by the United Nations revealed that the building materials sector was split into three production groups [8]: modern or conventional building materials which are based on modern conventional production methods like concrete, steel, and glass; traditional materials which include those materials that have been in local production from ancient times using small-scale rudimentary technologies, for example, laterite, gravel, thatch, straw, stabilised mud, Azara, and raphia palm; and innovative materials which are materials developed through research efforts
Fire Safety Awareness and Management in Multi-Storey Students' Hostels
De-Graft Joe Opoku,Joshua Ayarkwa,Kofi Agyekum
Asian Journal of Applied Sciences , 2016,
Abstract: Achieving an acceptable level of fire safety in university students’ hostels is of utmost importance. Fire resulting from students’ hostels can cause devastating effects if appropriate fire safety management measures are not put in place. This study presents the results of a questionnaire survey which sought to assess the perceptions of students on fire safety awareness and management in multi-storey hostels around the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus. Data obtained from the study was analyzed by mean score rankings and percentages. The findings of the study, showed that majority of the respondents do not attach seriousness to the issue of fire safety in the various hostels surveyed, as such, fire safety awareness and management is low amongst most of the hostel occupants. The results further showed that ‘storage of flammable materials in safe areas’, ‘provision of clear signage indicating exit routes and location of fire safety equipment’, regular inspection and maintenance of electrical installations’, ‘regular inspection and maintenance of fire safety equipment’, and ‘accessibility to fire hydrants’ are key practices which if implemented by management could control the outbreak of fire in the hostels. Although this study focuses on multi-storey students’ hostels around KNUST campus, the findings should be of relevance to other hostels located within and around the campuses of other universities in Ghana
Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections among Males with Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hos-pital, Kumasi, Ghana  [PDF]
Christian Kofi Gyasi-Sarpong, Edwin Mwintiereh Ta-ang Yenli, Ali Idriss, Addae Appiah Arhin, Ken Aboah, Roland Azorliade, Yaw Agyekum Boaitey, Augustina Angelina Annan
Open Journal of Urology (OJU) , 2012, DOI: 10.4236/oju.2012.23023
Abstract: Purpose: We describe the commonest pathology responsible for lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and associated symptoms such as UTI, etc. among males at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi. Materials and Methods: Between January and December 2009, prospective cross sectional hospital based study was conducted involving 103 subjects. Patients with symptoms of LUTO and who were on short admission (up to 48 hours) at the accident and emergency unit of KATH were identified as potential study subjects. All the patients presented with acute retention of urine at the emergency unit of KATH and urethral catheterization was attempted to relieve them of the retention under sterile conditions. Those patients whose initial catheterization failed went through suprapubic cystostomy (suprapubic catheterization). Urine specimens for culture and sensitivity tests were then collected into sterile urine containers immediately after the catheterization (irrespective of type). Ultrasound Scan was requested for all the patients to assist in diagnosing enlargement of the prostate and other associated urological pathologies. Retrograde urethrogram was however, requested for those patients with suprapubic catheterization and which helped in the diagnosis of the urethral stricture. For a particular child, urethral catheter was passed under sterile condition and Micturicting Cysto-Urethrogram (MCUG) was done to assist in diagnosing posterior urethral valve and other conditions. Those subjects whose urinalysis revealed pyuria and positive urine culture and who had voluntarily agreed to enter the study were enrolled. Subjects whose urine culture had multiple bacteria growth that was deemed to be contaminants were excluded from the study. Results: The mean age for males with LUTO was 62 years. The youngest male with LUTO was aged 2 years whilst the maximum age was 93 years. LUTO due to prostatic hyperplasia was found in 79 (76.7%) men; 23 (22.3%) had LUTO due to urethral stricture and 1 (1.0%) (youngest male). The mean age of patients that had LUTO due to urethral stricture was approximately 39 years. The youngest patient with LUTO due to urethral stricture aged 22 years whilst the maximum age was 72 years. Microbiological results indicated that Escherichia coli caused 53 (51.5%) of urinary tract infection (UTI) due to LUTO; Klebsiella = 23 (22.3%); Staphylococcus aureus = 14 (14.6%); Pseudomonas spp. = 8 (7.8%) Proteus = 2 (2.0%); Citrobacter = 1 (1.0%) and Salmonella spp. =1 (1.0%). Conclusion: The most common
Infrared Polarizabilities of 3d-Transition and Rare-Earth Metals  [PDF]
Kofi Nuroh
Journal of Modern Physics (JMP) , 2018, DOI: 10.4236/jmp.2018.92020
Abstract: A transition or rare-earth metal is modeled as the atom immersed in a jellium at intermediate electron gas densities specified by？ rs=4.0. The ground states of the spherical jellium atom are constructed based on the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham density-functional formalism with the inclusion of electron-electron self-interaction corrections of Perdew and Zunger. Static and dynamic polarizabilities of the jellium atom are deduced using time-dependent linear response theory in a local density approximation as formulated by Stott and Zaremba. The calculation is extended to include the intervening elements In, Xe, Cs, and Ba. The calculation demonstrates how the Lindhard dielectric function can be modified to apply to non-simple metals treated in the jellium model.
Perceived Benefits of Using Value Engineering on Road Projects in Ghana  [PDF]
James Cofie Danku, Philip Agyekum Antwi
World Journal of Engineering and Technology (WJET) , 2020, DOI: 10.4236/wjet.2020.82018
Abstract: The need for Optimum Value benefit realization on Road Projects in developing countries has become topical. While the traditional Cost Control project management process only aligns actual costs with budgeted costs, Value Engineering (VE) is a sustainable and systematic innovative methodology for establishing the best functional balance among desired features of a project. A Value Engineering (VE) study was conducted with the aim of examining the benefits associated with its use on Road Projects in Ghana. This study employed a two-stage research procedure: desk study and field research. The literature review identified the Optimum Value benefits associated with VE road project management technique as increased Confidence Level in Contract Compliance, reliable Implementation Level of Construction Delivery and enhanced Effectiveness Level of Project Sustainability. A quantitative survey research design based on a purposive sampling technique of selecting respondents was adopted. Employing closed-ended questions, 40 sets of questionnaires were issued to professionals in Road Infrastructure and Support Agencies (RISA) under the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. At a response rate of 85%, descriptive statistical analysis (Means, Standard Deviations and Variances) and inferential statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were used to process the data and determine whether there was any significant difference between VE benefit parameters and the groups of respondents. The results revealed that road professionals are familiar with the VE process but solely use Cost Control project management technique. Road professionals recognized the high Optimum Value benefits of professionally ethical Contract Compliance, efficient Construction Delivery and functionally viable Project Sustainability on VE road project management process.
第1页/共315条
每页显示 条


Home
Copyright © 2008-2020 Open Access Library. All rights reserved.