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The study highlights the importance of an evidence-based approach in conservation
through the process of Material characterization and Re-Engineering, for the long-term
sustenance of the building with minimal intervention.
The structure has gone through various levels of deterioration due to natural and
man-made factors. For a conservation professional, it is always a challenge to intervene
with such dilapidated buildings. The initial phase of the study involves a detailed
assessment of the structure, sample collection, documentation, and material testing at
various laboratories. Material samples involve bricks, lime mortar, mud mortar, lime
plaster, and lime concrete. One of the major challenges is to deal with material samples
from old structures without damage and keep them safe without any contamination. It's
essential to analyze the results from the existing building, and this involves conducting
various tests to cross-reference the data. The testing involves wet chemical dissolution,
energy-dispersive X-ray Spectrometry, Compressive strength testing, etc. The
Characterization results show that the binder aggregate ratio of various samples
collected from different locations in the structure gives a range of 1:1.5 to 1:3 (Binder:
Aggregate).
The Re-Engineering process begins with testing of Lime mortar samples made on-site
based on the Characterization results. A ratio of 1:1.5 (Binder: Aggregate) shows a
promising compressive strength of 2.74 Mpa in 20 days. These samples are subjected
to XRD to compare their mineral content with the existing lime mortar. Overall
Evidence-based restoration allows for the optimization of resources, including time,
labor, and materials. By identifying the most critical areas of intervention and prioritizing
conservation efforts, resources can be utilized efficiently to achieve long-term
sustainability.