Energy-Efficient Construction in Nigeria: The Adoption of Expanded Polystyrene Wall Panels in Abuja Metropolis

Abstract

In recent times, Abuja, the Federal capital city of Nigeria has witnessed an extensive use of innovative building materials including Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in housing delivery. This is in the quest to develop alternative local building materials to the conventional sandcrete blocks, which is of increasing high cost and import dependent. This paper therefore, reports a comparative study on the use of EPS materials over the sandcrete blocks in masonry works in FCT, Abuja. Data for the research were obtained through interview schedules and observations from five (5) selected case studies of housing projects built with EPS panels in Abuja and compared with other housing projects constructed with sandcrete blocks with the aim ascertaining the comparative advantages of EPS panels over the conventional walling materials. Over one hundred and twenty (120) building professionals (Architects, Engineers, Builders and Quantity Surveyors) involved in the construction of these projects were interviewed. Analyses of the findings indicate that EPS buildings demonstrate high thermal insulation capacity, light weight, faster time, higher strength, greater structural stability and cost effectiveness. The paper concludes that EPS panels are better alternatives to the conventional sandcrete blocks and should be used in place of the former in housing delivery in Nigeria.

Keywords: Abuja, building materials, expanded polystyrene, urban housing