Browsing by Author "Kassa, Mesfin"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The Assessment of the Practices and Challenges of Vocational Guidance and Counseling: The Case of Selected Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Kassa, Mesfin; Zewdie, Ginna (PhD)
    The main pwpose oj the study was to examine and evaluate the practice and challenges oj vocational guidance and counseling in TVEr college oj Addis Ababa City Adminisb-ation. Based on this, the study b'ied to identify whether there were the services oj vocational guidance and counseling Jor pre-college students and college tTainees, appropriateness oj the qualification and area oj studies and the effectiveness and efficiency oj the vocational guidance and counselors and evaluate the major Jactors that impede the effectiveness oj the vec activities. The study descriptive survey method and was conducted in three public TVET colleges in AACAd. The subjects oj the study were 8 deans and vice deans, 25 department heads. 218 trainees and 3 vocational guidance and counselors. Regarding to the sampling techniques, simple random sampling was used to select sample colleges and tTainee res,pondents while pwpos ive and availability sampling techniques were employedJor the rest oj the grolLps. The inJormation was obtained Jrom the sample respondents through questionnaire and interviews. Appropriate statistical tools such as percentage, average mean value. chi-square, t-Test values were lLsed to analyze and interpret the obtained data. The Jindings oj the study revealed that the services provided by the vocational guidance and counselors were below expected. The area oj specializations oj the vocational guidance and counselors does not match with their cWTentjobs and they didn't get additional tTaining in the area. On top this; there were 110 guideline and manualJor vec in the sample colleges and the b-ainees have had no inJormation about vocational education beJore they joined TVEr colleges. Furthermore, there were no well b-ained and adequate man power, adequate budget and Jacilities and active participation oj stalceholders Jor tile implementation oj vec activities in TVEr colleges. Hence, it is suggested that to be effectively implemented the vocational guidance Gnd counseling services in TVET colleges. the higher offiCials and concernecl bodies give due attention to the area andJuifilt adequate tTained man power and allocate sufficient budget.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Relationship Between Consolidation and Swelling Characteristics of Expansive Soils of Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2005-03) Kassa, Mesfin; Haile, Messele(PhD)
    Clay soils are usually subjected to a time dependant strain under load. This strain is mainly a function of the rate of pore water pressure dissipation which in turn depends on the permeability of the soil mass. Therefore, consolidation is a term used to describe the volume change of the soil mass due to pore water pressure dissipation. Among the clay soils in the world, expansive soils have a special mineralogical characteristic which leads to swelling when exposed to moisture change. This behavior is due to the presence of considerable amount of montmorillonite clay mineral. As a result of swelling, pressure is exerted by the soil on the structures built on it and causes an increase in volume of the soil mass which also lifts the structure. Consequently, cracking of buildings, breaking of pavements, damaging of utility pipes are common problems on structures built on such soils. But under the action of heavy loads, greater than the swelling pressure, the soil undergoes consolidation. Thus, this paper is mainly intended to evaluate the swelling and consolidation behavior of expansive soils of Addis Ababa and their interdependence using one dimensional consolidation theory of Terzaghi. In the course of the research work consolidation-swell test was carried out on a number of samples of expansive soil obtained from different parts of Addis Ababa. The swelling and consolidation characteristic of the soil is determined from the laboratory tests. Ranges of values of the consolidation parameters are also obtained. The swelling behavior is found to influence the consolidation characteristics of expansive soils.