ZYNORIQUE

This is another blog for posting Architectural Snaps. Enjoy. Click Here

This was a long time back...Back in bangalore, we started this message Board, but as Message boards come and go..this one almost got lost in the world wide junk...am salvaging it for old time sake..it has some useful links. CLICK HERE

This is the link to the Photo Album of zynorique's Phase 1 projects...Just an assessment of the work we have done so far..will update soon. CLICK HERE

we are creating another post on Essays about Architects and Architecture. CLICK HERE

This Year, the two major topics in our Office has been Earthquakes and Weddings. Most of our close Friends are taking the plunge this year..earthshaking news indeed! Well, my attendance records as far as wedding is concerned is very poor so I hope they'll excuse my absence. Now regarding the other News item, It's about Earthquake in the NorthEast India. This region falls in seismic zone V which is the maximum. The last major earthquake to hit the NE was on 15 August 1950 with its epicenter at East Arunachal (8.5 magnitude), prior to that was the shillong Earthquake of 1897 (8.7 )..now based on the cyclic theory of 55 years cycle, a major earthquake is expected to hit these areas within 2010...Now that means most of the constructions has to be retrofitted. Though the construction in the region is primarily RCC frame structures, the quality is considerably poor..reasons are:-

1.Mix Ratio not maintained - recommended mix ratio is M20...1:1½:3

2.Dry mix is not done properly

3.Stone Chippings are not washed properly..dirt in RCC is a very dangerous issue.

4.Water-Cement ratio not maintained...Most of the construction use more water to increase workability which greatly affect the strength of cement.

5.The initial setting time of concrete is 30 minutes..here again, most of the construction sites make mix to last 1 hour or more which is not advisable.

6.Curing - The Final Setting time of concrete is 600 minutes or 10 hours..after which curing process may start. The intention is to keep the outer 'membrane' of the structure moist till the core attains necessary strength..the best way is to wrap gunny bags around the structural members and moisten the bags. Curing has to continue upto the 28th day for the Structure to attain 98% strength.

These are some of the areas where one can improve the quality of construction by following the observations above. By the way, we are going to Gujarat next month to study retrofitting..I shall Update the Info as soon as I get hold of it.

This Year, Here at our zynorique's HQ, we have been chilling out literally, with temperature hovering between 3 to 9 degree C...and managed to at least paste the First Phase of our works so farclick here..not very inspiring, but we needed some project to set up our base...So that Brings us to our New Year Resolution...This year we want to do some serious design since we have some good clients now....maybe even bring out some literature on Building construction...Contact Old friends...and play more video games.