What materials is a typical house constructed in your country?

In the US the overwhelming amount of houses are constructed of light frame timber (2×4 or 2×6) then surfaced with either a cementous product like stucco or wood siding of some form. Larger homes and multi-family buildings used to be constructed of brick but modern larger homes and multi-families tend towards wood framing. Multi-families become …

If you stack two objects, one atop the other and drop them as a unit, do they hold that configuration for the duration of the fall or do they separate at an ever-increasing rate and distance during the fall?

In a vacuum they would stay together as long as there is no spin. In an atmosphere it would depend on the shape and placement of each object. A non-aerodynamic front object or overlapping second object would find the air pressure forcing the two apart.

For decorative rather than structural purposes, how well does concrete made with soil (fine sandy loam) instead of sand hold up over the years? What ratio of soil to gravel to cement should I use for best aging results?

Firstly, you don’t want organic material in your concrete. It will weaken and discolor your concrete. There are mixes that support organics, but they are expensive along with requiring special equipment and knowledge. That said, use about 60% gravel to 40% sand. This will get you close to a “well graded” mix. One part cement …

Why does democracy function as if Machiavellian principles married survival of the fittest? Why do we as a country lie, cheat, and bully to win power while hiding under the banner of truth, justice, and love? What is the end game?

Hedonism is good fit for your question. An individual whats to live in a place where others live under the banner of truth, justice, and love. But, that same individual sees that by making compromises (lying cheating, bullying) they can improve their own situation as they see things. They don’t see this as compromising the …

How long do modern homes with modern building materials & construction methods generally last?

Looking back at most structures, about 70% of well-maintained structures will last for between 100–120 years with modern methods. For every 10 years beyond that you’ll lose about 10% of the remaining. For average maintained structures only about 50% make it to 100 years with the same 10% loss each additional 10 years. Poorly maintained …

What defines the Stalinist architectural style?

Stalinist architectural style. The style is much harder to define on an individual building scale unless your focus is one of the state buildings or the Soviet Academy of Architecture. Mostly it shows on an urban planning scale. Long parklike boulevards lined with housing blocks ending in huge plazas and major monuments or buildings at …