Introduction
Changjiji Bazam which was build in the year 2007 is now need to rebuild again after more than 10 years. This bridge was connect the express way and the changjiji residence and school.
What is Bazam?
The name Bazam is given to the traditional cantilever bridge. The word Bazam consist of two words, Ba and Zam. Ba means Cattle and have a strength of cantilever framed and the Zam is word for bridge in Dzongkga. The cantilever part of the bazam looks like nose of cattle at either side. Bazams are first constructed in Bhutan over 1630s along with the majestic Dzong. The idea of Bazam has originally originated Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. This structure is original to the country Bhutan and the design is typically of Bhutanese origin. Stone and timber are used for the construction of Bazam.
The Bazam works on the principal of cantilever. The carriage way is supported at the center by the wedge like structure that are anchored at the end of the support which is tower like structure.
Reconstruction of Chanjiji Bazam.
The original Changjiji Bazam was constructed in the year 2007. The bridge was developing cracks on the walls and deck. The deck was sagging as seen in the photograph below. The bridge was closed for the public use in June, 2018.
The bridge has stand for 10years before the reconstruction work has commissioned on July 2019.
Project details:
The reconstruction project was carried out by Thimphu Thromde. The design and drawing was initially done by the Ministry of Work and Human Settlement. The cost estimate was prepared by an engineer Dendup Lhamo of Infrastructure Division, Thimphu Thromde.
- Contractor: M/s Dash Group
- Contract Amount: Nu. 9.40Million
- Project Cost: Nu. 12.50Million
- Contract duration: 8months
- Work commenced: October, 2019
- Actual date of completion: May, 2021
- Supervising engineer: Jangchuk Choden (Thimphu Thromde)
Silence Feature:
- Design was carried out by MoWHS (Minister of Work and Human Settlement)
- Cost and Preparation of tender documents by Thimphu Thromde
- The design of the bridge is similar to Punakha Bazam.
- Carriage way is change to curve at the center.
- Engineered timber is used for the all timber works.
- Two layers of roof covering at the carraiage way or deck.
- National works carried out the works.
Key features:
The following are key features for the reconstruction of the Changjiji Bazam.
Construction materials: –
Primarily the stone masonry and timber are used as construction materials of the structure. Other building materials are also used for the completion of the project.
- Glue-laminated timber: -For the construction of Chanjigi Bazam engineered timber known as Glued laminated timber is used for all structural timber members.
- Stone: -Two tower like structure and river training works are constructed with the stone masonry works.
- Roof Covering: – The roof covering are of two layers consisting of Steel sheet and timber plank. The steel sheet is of CGI sheet.
- Cement concrete: – Cement concrete has been used as plumb concrete for filling the infill of the wall. Cement mortar are used to lay the stone masonry works.
- Flooring: – Timber flooring is provided at the carriage way and concrete flooring at the tower.
- Paints:- Tradational painting is applied on the timber elements and external finishing paint is done with whit distemper on the wall.
Elements: –
- Windows: – Two types of windows are incorporated namely Horgo payab at the first floor and Gedkar payab at ground floor.
- Railing: – The traditional railing known as Tazi is provided at two sides of the walk way.
- Other components: – The traditional architecture elements are incorporated with finishing of Bhutanese type painting of Sumdang ding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When was changjiji bazam first constructed?
The first changjiji bazam was constructed in the year 2007.
