Abstract:
The research aimed at determining the trends in the usage of timber species among small and
medium scale building contractors in Ghana. The specific objectives were to determine timber
species that have been used in the past decade by small and medium scale building contractors in
Ghana; to determine the current timber species being used by small and medium scale building
contractors in Ghana and to determine factors that influence the choice of particular timber species
in building construction in Ghana. Questionnaires, on site observations and unstructured interviews
were the instruments used for data collection from 45 stakeholders in the timber and construction
industry such as building contractors, lumber traders, saw millers, carpenters and chain saw
operators.. The study employed quantitative and descriptive techniques to analyze data collected.
It was observed from the findings that, there are over 20 lesser known timber species on the
Ghanaian local timber market predominantly Essa, Konkroma and Teak that can serve the same
purposes as the traditional known timber species. It was concluded that, the extinction of the
traditional known timber species used by small and medium scale building contractors is as a
results of their over exploitation in the construction industry. Essa, Konkroma, Apro, Teak, Bese,
Subaha, Ofram and Nyamedua are the most current timber species being used in building
construction works.
The research recommend that, more research is carried out on the strength properties and
application of lesser-used species (LUS) among Small and Medium Scale building contractors in
Ghana to reduce their total reliance on the traditional known timber species in their construction
work. The use of lesser-used timber species should be promoted to sustain the trends in the usage of
timber species in building construction in Ghana.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION ANDWOOD
TECHNOLOGY, FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA; IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY IN
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DEGREE.