Lagos Building Collapses : We Used Machine Learning To Show Where And Why They Happen

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**The Rise of Building Collapses in Lagos, Nigeria: A Complex Crisis**

Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic and commercial capital, faces a growing crisis: the increasing frequency of building collapses.

* **Human factors** were the most significant contributors to building collapses, accounting for 70% of the cases. * **Natural disasters** were the second most significant contributors, accounting for 20% of the cases. * **Unspecified causes** accounted for 10% of the cases. **Model Development:**

* **Machine learning techniques** were used to develop the model. * **Data sources** included building permits, construction records, and historical data on building collapses. * **Feature engineering** was used to extract relevant information from the data.

The model we built was a multi-layered perceptron (MLP), a type of feedforward neural network. MLPs are particularly well-suited for tasks involving complex data patterns and non-linear relationships. They consist of an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. Each layer processes the input data through a series of weighted connections, applying activation functions to introduce non-linearity. The model’s architecture was designed to capture complex relationships between features and target variables.

The study found that the majority of the building collapses were caused by the combination of these three factors. Let’s break down each factor and explore its role in the building collapses. **1. Soil Tests:**

Soil tests are crucial for determining the bearing capacity of soil, which refers to the maximum load a soil can support without failing. Ignoring soil tests can lead to disastrous consequences, as buildings constructed on unsuitable soil can collapse.

This is because substandard materials can lead to structural failures, compromising the safety of the construction process and the building itself. Fourth, proper planning and design are essential for a successful construction project. This includes considering factors like site accessibility, environmental impact, and building codes. Fifth, effective communication is crucial for a smooth construction process.

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