Innovations in Construction

I have written about new techniques we employed in this project here and there. I thought it would be a good idea to list those out in one place.

1. Concreting done here is almost Self Compacting Concrete. It is low in porosity and high in density. It has strength of almost M35-40. It also has enhanced flexural strength.
2. Plastering is done with constant water cement ratio, with added plasticizer. Composition is machine mixed concrete, resulting in very even distribution of all components of the plaster.
3. Block work is done with Masonry Bonding Mortar. This results in high-strength bond between the blocks. We need less than 5mm of bonding material between the blocks resulting in consistent lines.
4. Blocks reinforced at sill level with 10mm bars. This is done by making grooves in blocks so that it doesn't impact the height of the masonry. 
   
   
   
   
   
5. Window cladding done with black granite. Corner joints of granite done with special grooving so that each stone supports the other creating a long lasting joint.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Cantilever parapet to protect walls from rain streaks. 
   
   
   
   
   
7. Wooden door frame members notched and joined with araldite adhesive.

It is taking shape...

Its in to the new financial year for India and the building is showing traces of nearing completion. We are about two months behind the schedule we had set in last September, thanks to the rain gods early on, then the holidays, the dispute with contractor and holidays again...

Last time when I updated the blog entry, our first slab was done. Now two more slabs and the stair cabin, elevator shaft top and overhead tank later, we see the end of the tunnel now :-) Floor-wise, here is the status.

Ground Floor:

• Electrical ducting done with boxes for outlets inserted
• Air-condition provisioning done
• Steel structure for supporting spider glazing on drawing room front done
• 1st coat of internal plaster done
• Sample window cladding in black granite done
• All door frames installed
• Added steel rods in grooves at sill level to ensure cracks do not originate in masonry

Steel rods added at Sill Level in Masonry

Helical Staircase from Ground Floor to First

First Floor:

• Masonry work mostly done
• Electrical boxes and ducts done

Huge beam supporting Spider glazing and cantilever
of vaulted 

Second Floor:

• Masonry work ongoing

Terrace Floor:

• Decided to put architectural projection all around the parapet to protect walls from rain streaks
• Completed structural aspect

Triangle overhead water tank

Projection to protect facade at parapet level on terrace