AAU Institutional Repository (AAU-ETD)

Addis Ababa University Institutional repository is an open access repository that collects,preserves, and disseminates scholarly outputs of the university. AAU-ETD archives' collection of master's theses, doctoral dissertations and preprints showcase the wide range of academic research undertaken by AAU students over the course of the University's long history.

How to Submit Your Work

The repository contains scholarly work, both unpublished and published, by current or former AAU faculty, staff, and students, including Works by AAU students as part of their masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral research

  • All AAU faculty, staff, and students are invited to submit their work to the repository. Please contact the library at your college.

You may contact digirep@aau.edu.et.with any questions about the repository

 

Recent Submissions

Item
A Study of Alternative Wall Making Materials Selection Using AHP Method
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06-01) Behailu Workneh Tolu; Denamo Addissie, (PhD)
Material selection is a complex and delicate task determined by the vast number of building material options. Likewise, multiple factors are often considered by the architect or building designer when evaluating the various categories of building materials. As a result, these sets of factors or variables often present tradeoffs that further complicate the decision-making process. To ease the material-selection process, this study examines the relevant factors or variables needed to develop a systematic and efficient material-selection system. Through the analysis of frequency data and results of the study, it has identified the potential factors that will impact designers’ decisions in their choice of wall making alternative building materials, during the design-decision making process. The application of the criteria for the quantitative evaluation and selection of the best alternative building material, using the analytic hierarchy process model, are discussed. The developed decision support system assist designers to assess their consequences in terms of whether or not a material option is likely to be best chosen over the existing conditions. The study also investigates the existing situations in the application of alternative wall making building materials. It assesses the current materials which are being used as a wall making alternative building materials, the extent of usage and barriers to use these materials. Keywords: decision making process; factors or variables; selection criteria; alternative building materials; selection framework; analytical hierarchy process (AHP)
Item
Developing Built-Asset Maintenance Maturity Rating Model for Public University Buildings in Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-06-01) Zewdu Seblework Tafesse; Asregedew Kassa Woldesenbet( PhD)
In Ethiopia, a significant amount of funds is invested in mega projects like dams, highways, railways, airports, power plants, public buildings, etc. These investments are showing unprecedented expansion which, by some estimates, has shown a 9-fold growth of the GDP of the construction sector. However, once these projects, be it mega or otherwise, are completed and ownership is transferred, the post-construction phase of asset management is noticeably neglected, if not ignored totally. And this national reality is witnessed in the building facilities of public universities in the country. In this research paper, a modest attempt is made to examine the building maintenance practice of the nation, factors affecting proper maintenance management, and challenges faced. A thorough investigation of the current situation of building facilities of public universities in Addis Ababa is made. Along with that significant focus is made to develop a viable maturity rating model for building maintenance management of public universities in Ethiopia. A multi-case study was conducted on the three public universities in Addis Ababa. The research approach of this study is both deductive and inductive research. Both quantitative and qualitative data are collected from primary and secondary data sources by document analysis, observation, and semi-structured interviews of the FM office and project office representatives of each public university. All the semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observation data were analyzed using the thematic and statistical analysis method. The three main objectives of this study are effectively addressed. When it comes to identifying factors that influence the proper practice of building maintenance management in public universities in Ethiopia, the main factors were grouped under seven categories and five critical factors. Finally, a built asset maturity rating model is proposed based on the weights calculated by DEMATEL, MCDM analysis weights that can be used as a self-assessment tool by public universities in Ethiopia. Keywords: Facility Management, Built Asset, Maintenance, Maturity Rating Model, DEMATEL
Item
Indoor Air Pollution: Pragmatic Smoke Mitigating Interventions For Reducing Co and PM2.5 IN Traditional Tukul Houses The Case of Butajira Area
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-10-01) Dagmawit Kidane Belihu; Denamo A. Nuramo (Associate Professor)
A considerable number of people are residing in substandard spaces that fall below the WHO recommended air quality limits which includes exposure to indoor air pollution. The wide use of solid biomass coupled with indoor cooking are major contributing factors for high concentration of indoor air pollutants in Ethiopia. Over 95% of the Ethiopian population relies on solid biomass for household energy consumption and majority of them reside in rural vernacular houses where multiple functional spaces are overlapped in a single space. The lack of ventilation in these spaces and the amount of time spent indoors from cooking to sleeping etc. makes the occupants vulnerable to multiple health problems. The common health problems in the study area are recognized as side effects of prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants. This research investigates the relationship between indoor air pollution in rural tukul houses and architectural modifications that can decrease selected indoor air pollutant concentrations in Butajira, Southern part of Ethiopia. The aim was to measure the 24hr PM2.5 and CO concentrations, study the architectural features of the tukuls and experiment with ventilation by providing multiple openings and altering the interior layout to study the indoor air pollution level reduction. A controlled experimental study was conducted in three selected households. The experiment had four phases where the first one measured the initial pollutant concentration levels, the second one introduced a window in the south-west orientation, the third one provided a second opening to control the air path and the final phase altered the location of the cook stove to achieve maximum efficiency. The results of the experiment confirmed the current pollutant concentrations profoundly exceed ideal WHO limits. The lowest before intervention CO concentrations were over two times higher than homes without indoor cooking and WHO recommended limits. Similarly, the lowest initial PM2.5 limits were 13 times higher than the maximum WHO limits. In two of the study houses the intervention successfully decreased both CO and PM2.5 concentrations. The best results were recorded in the fourth phase where PM2.5 dropped by 49.6% and CO showed an 87.6% decrease. The combined intervention where both openings and interior layout were altered showed the most positive results. In one study house the impact of context, activity pattern and existing architectural elements resulted in increased measurements. It was concluded that the contextual influence at an urban scale, interior layout/partition, cooking pattern and complete detachment of cooking spaces have the best potential for improving indoor air quality in existing tukul houses. Keywords:INDOOR AIR POLLUTION, VENTILATION, OPENING DESIGN, CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT, TUKUL HOUSES
Item
Investigating the Effect of Currency Devaluation on Contractors: A Case Study on Selected Public Building Projects
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-05-01) Haimanot Nibret Mengistu; Wubishet Jekale (PhD)
The National Bank of Ethiopia devalued Birr by 15% against United States Dollar (USD) in October 2017. Since then, the construction industry in Ethiopia has faced price volatility on construction materials. According to prior studies, the construction industry is influenced by currency devaluation, resulting in high inflation, volatile market pricing, and material shortages. This price increase causes contractors to fail in finishing their projects within the acceptable time and quality boundaries, as well as within the anticipated cost boundary. This delays their progress in every way. However, the extent of the impact on construction projects is not well-understood and needs to be studied more closely. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of currency devaluation on contractors. In particular, this paper aims to determine the effect of currency devaluation on public building projects that were commenced before currency devaluation occurred. It also focuses on contributory trade of works induced by currency devaluation and minimizing the risk of economic loss in construction projects due to currency devaluation for current and future occurrences. Based on a review of literature on the effect of currency devaluation on the Ethiopian construction sector and other countries' currency devaluation issues and measures, a case study research technique was utilized. Secondary data was obtained through document review. Analysis of data demonstrated the impact of the construction project, contributory trade, and strategies that the government should enforce to minimize the risk of devaluation on contractors. The result reviled that the construction cost of four public building projects in Addis Ababa increased by 18.12%, 17.72%, 16.51% and 13.94% because of the price escalation of construction materials tied to the currency devaluation of the Birr. Further, reinforced concrete work, wall and floor finishing work were found contributory to currency devaluation. The study concludes that compensating contractors who work for government projects and were adversely affected by the recent economic legislation adopted by the Government during 2017 to tackle the current crisis and adjusting the value of most contributory trade of works induced by currency devaluation to be increased or decreased based on an index minimizes the risk resulting from currency fluctuation for the future occurrence. On this basis, the government of Ethiopia should pass decisions that allow contracts to be increased or decreased, based on a price index. Keywords: Currency Devaluation, Construction Materials, Construction Industry
Item
Strategies for Managing and Mitigating Flood Challenges Towards Sustainable Urban Planning: Case of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2024-05-01) Betelhem Shimelis; Aramde Fetene (PhD)
Urban flooding poses significant challenges to cities worldwide, and Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, is no exception. As urbanization accelerates and climate change impacts become more pronounced, understanding and effectively managing flood risk in Addis Ababa are imperative for ensuring the city's resilience and sustainable development. This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework for urban flood risk management in Addis Ababa, integrating urban planning, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction strategies. Primary data collection involved key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions, and field observations, supplemented by secondary data obtained from online sources and relevant organizations. The collected data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data from KII and focus group discussions were thematically analyzed to identify key factors influencing flood risk and the effectiveness of existing institutional frameworks and policies. Additionally, quantitative data were presented and interpreted using tables, graphs, and charts to visualize trends and patterns in flood vulnerability, institutional strengths and weaknesses, and policy effectiveness. Findings reveal that Addis Ababa's institutional frameworks for flood mitigation and disaster risk reduction are governed by entities such as the Addis Ababa City Disaster Risk Management Commission (AACDRMC), the City Master Plan, the Environmental Protection Authority (AAEPA), the City Roads Authority (AACRA), and the Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA). Existing policies encompass flood risk management, urban development, building codes, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and land use regulations. Advantages of Addis Ababa's current institutional structures and policies include collaboration and coordination, a robust regulatory framework, environmental protection measures, and capacity building. However, weaknesses persist, including inadequate infrastructure, limited public engagement and awareness, inconsistent enforcement of regulations, and insufficient financial resources. Based on these findings, key recommendations include the implementation of integrated flood planning and infrastructure, the development of climate-resilient infrastructure, community engagement and awareness initiatives, and strengthened regulatory enforcement mechanisms. Key words: Urban flooding, Environmental sustainability, Public engagement, Resilience x