International Journal of Civil, Structural,

Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering

Research and Development (IJCSEIERD)
ISSN (P): 2249–6866; ISSN (E): 2249–7978
Vol. 11, Issue 1, Jun 2021, 53-62
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE STRUCTURES

UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL FAILURES

NISHI YADAV1 & Dr. VIKAS GANDHE2

1
Student, School of Architecture, I.P.S. Academy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
2
Professor, School of Architecture, I.P.S. Academy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT

In India, existing number of heritage structures roughly reaches to 10,000. Most of the heritage structures were
observed in damaged conditions. These were needed to be modified. Heritage structures of the country were always
inspiring the next generation. These monuments were always spotted as a point of attraction for the tourists. Spotted
monuments always had a key role in generation of revenue for the country. Broadly, the heritage structures were
classified as Historical; Cultural; Devotional and Engineering. The cause of decay of these structures was required to
be studied carefully. Classification of failures was carried out in four categories as:

 Environmental failure: Ultraviolet rays of sun; change of temperature; quantum of rains and effect of wind etc.

 Biological failures: Presence of plants, trees, vegetation, algae and fungi etc.

Original Article
 Chemical failures: Because of industrialization and upgrowing chemical factories, pollution effect over the
mortars and elements of buildings.

 Earthquake failure: The major damages were occurred to those structures lying in zone IV and V.

The paper had dealt with the diagnosis of failure of structural components from foundation bedding to
rooftop. Different restoration processes for the preservation of important structures were mentioned in this paper.
Innovative techniques for enhancing the life of monuments were the key features mentioned of this paper.

KEYWORDS: Capillary Action, Deforestation, Industrialization, Microorganism, Permeability & Pollution

Received: Feb 25, 2021; Accepted: Mar 15, 2021; Published: Mar 27, 2021; Paper Id.: IJCSEIERDJUN20216

INTRODUCTION

The heritage structures are the pride of past for the society living in a country. These monuments cultivate
inspiration to this generation, regarding the cultural, scientific and engineering richness of our forefathers. The
heritage structures are categorically defined as cultural heritage; scientific heritage; historical heritage etc. To be
specific, cultural heritage includes art in caves, stone work, sculpture ornamental work, art galleries, the dresses
and garments etc.

The scientific heritage includes observatories; study of stars, sun, moon, etc.; rain gauge; time indicator;
telescope; etc.

Historical heritage deals with old buildings such as forts, palaces, etc.

Engineering heritage structure, compel an engineer to analyze the secrets of long living structure in terms
of materials, mortars; system of efficient drainage, irrigation systems; echo system; development of quick

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54 Nishi Yadav & Dr. Vikas Gandhe

messages conveying system, construction of wall with more than adequate height without providing any bracings or
counterfort walls.

In addition to the above-mentioned facts, heritage structures are of great attraction of tourists because of its
uniqueness in this world. Being a tourist spot, it has commercial value and job opportunities are created for the local
persons. The local person works as a good guide for the tourists and will earn for the survival of the family. The economy
of city, town, and village improves because of the construction of resorts, hotels, guesthouses, etc., income through taxi;
rental car will be an additional opportunity to earn. Similarly, panchayat, corporation will get the financial assistance by
imposing entry and other taxes.

The paper also discusses about the cause of failure and methods of preservation in subsequent chapters. Various
factors that deteriorated the heritage structure are dealt in detail. Analysis for the cause of failure and process of
preservation are the key features of this paper. Categorically, the heritage structures are classified as:

1. Historical, 2. Cultural, 3. Spiritual/devotional, and 4. Engineering.

 Historical heritage structures are considered as forts on hills/ground and palaces of royal families. In whole
country i.e., in India, around about one thousand forts are in existence. Maximum forts are observed in the state of
Maharashtra and Rajasthan (Figure 1).
 Cultural/architectural heritages cover caves; rock sculptures (Figure 2).
 Devotional/holy places consist of Temples, Mosques, Gurudwaras, Churches, and other religious places (Figure
3).
 Engineering structures are built-up urban towns in past, residential complex, waste water drainage system,
systematic town planning schemes. Ex. - Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan civilization (excavated city) (Figure 4).

Figure 2: Ajanta &

Figure 1: Raigad Fort, Figure 3: Tungnath Figure 4: City of
Ellora Caves,
Maharashtra Temple, Uttarakhand Mohenjo-Daro, Sindh
Maharashtra

2. DIAGNOSIS OF FAILURE

It is required to study the failures before deciding the methods/process of conservation. Once the root cause of failures is
detected, then according to the prevailing conditions, various methods to safeguard the structure can be finalized. Deep
study of failures of heritage structures is based categorically on the following factors:

Study of Material and its Composition

Generally, the materials used for the construction of heritage structures were types of stones; bricks; timber; steel; concrete
and binding material etc.

In majority of historical and cultural heritage structures, mostly stone is used. Before thinking of restoration of
stone structures, the type of stones, properties of stones, behaviour of types of stones, and environmental impact over the

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Innovative Techniques for Preservation of Heritage Structures under Different Environmental Failures 55

stones for failures should be studied. The major types of stones were classified as: - Igneous rocks; Sedimentary rocks;
Metamorphic rocks. The physical and chemical properties of stones differ as per types of stones. The texture, mineral
composition, degree of hardness, pore/capillary action varies for each and every type of stones mentioned above.

The major cause of deterioration/disintegration of stones is: - frost action; thermal expansion; wetting and drying;
salt decay; dissolution; oxidation; hydration; hydrolysis. To assess the strength of stones generally, “Non-destructive –
test” (NDT) technique is used. Types of scientific methods, analysis of materials are mentioned below:

 Visual inspection

 Simple magnification

 Petrographic examination

 Endoscopy

 SEM

 Florescence method

 Polarization optical

 Crystallography

 Ultrasonics

 Impact Eco method

 Surface wave method

 Micro drilling method

 Diffractometry radiography.

 Moisture measurement method

 Electromagnetic method

Study of Environmental Effects

The study involves various aspects such as:

 Magnitude and variation of temperature in the nearby location.

 Study of sun-path diagram. This data plays a vital role for root cause of the deterioration of heritage structures.

 Solar radiation is to be studied carefully.

 Types and number of trees and its roots around the structure, deteriorate the structure fast.

 Rain water is the key factor for the lifespan of any structure. The rain water is acidic in nature with ph value of
round about 5.0. This acidic rain water reacts with types of materials as well as binding materials which lead to
failure.

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56 Nishi Yadav & Dr. Vikas Gandhe

 It is required to study the seismic zone of earthquake to know the intensity and frequency of earthquake
over the structure in the past.

 Shrubs and small plants growing on walls, beds, roofs, terrace as well as in cavities lead to failure of heritage
structures.

 Direction and speed of wind around the area is also required to be studied carefully.

Biological and Chemical Effects

Presence of birds and animals in the nearby areas deteriorate the structure. Effect of vegetation in the structure; algae and
fungi; effect of bats, insects, birds, animals around the structure; growing of fungi and bacteria are the root cause of
deterioration of heritage structures. Seeds of trees germinate in cavities of wall will cause a decay of structure.

Due to deforestation and industrialization, pollution increases day by day. These pollutants generally react with
joints and bedding and thereby weaken the structure which leads to failure. Effect of corrosion is the most serious cause of
failure in case of steel structures.

Engineering Effect

Following aspects are required to be studied carefully to know the cause of failure of existing heritage structures:

 Age and life of structure.

 Engineering proportion of structural components and binding materials.

 Elastic properties of material used.

 Study of brittleness; porosity; crushing strength; flexibility; bearing capacity of soil; magnitude and pattern of
deformation.

 Type and size of foundations.

 Types of loading pattern over the structural components.

 Types of boundary conditions.

 Shear moment and other types of cracks due to failure of component.

 Mechanical and structural properties of structural components.

 Physical and chemical composition of materials used for the construction of heritage structures.

 Capillary action

 Water table

 Properties of soil with bearing capacity of soil.

 To study and search the types of natural agents nearby surroundings which may cause the deterioration of
structures.

 It is important to study the thickness and height of wall as well as areas of openings in walls.

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Innovative Techniques for Preservation of Heritage Structures under Different Environmental Failures 57

 The height of doors and windows.

 Study of water supply and sanitation scheme is essential to know the details of leakage of water.

 Location of study of foundation is equally important as per the site condition as the foundation is over the ground
or under water (sea).

 Most careful study is required to be carried out for the behaviour pattern of structural components as per support
and loading conditions. The support conditions may be simple support, continuous support, fixed support etc.
Similarly, the structure is also to be studied for different loading pattern as point load, uniformly distributed load,
varying load, triangular load, trapezoidal loads, etc.

 The study of reactions; max/min shear force, max/min bending moment, Actual maximum deflection are
permitted as per IS code.

Table.1. Actual Max Deflection According to Different Types of Beams and Loads
Actual Maximum
S. No. Type of Beam Load Span
Deflection
01 Cantilever Point load = W at free end. L δ = WL3/3EI
02 Cantilever U.D.L. = w at full length L δ = wL4/8EI
03 Simple support Point load = W at mid span L δ = WL3/48EI
04 Simple support U.D.L. = w at full length L δ = 5wL4/384EI

These actual maximum deflections must be checked with permissible deflection as per the given code to check the
safety of structure.

3. RESTORATION TECHNIQUES

Cleaning Treatment

 Removal of plants: - growing in the cavities of the stone/brick structures, it is to be removed manually.

 Cleaning of sculpture should be carried out with a mixture of air and sand using compression pump motor
mechanism.

 Cleaning of microorganisms, growing on stones should be removed physically. If not possible, proceed to next
step.

 The water mixed with ammonia is used to clean stones using soft brushes. In the next stage, the stone should be
washed with alcoholic water, followed by acetone or butanol or H2O2, triethanolamine and such other chemicals
should also be used.

In case, still the adequate effect could not be achieved and plants could not be removed from the joints of stones
and beddings, use of tree killer solution is only the option to be adopted. The tree killer solution shall be prepared by
mixing NaOH with casein along with Arsenic oxide. These chemicals should be mixed with hot-water only. After the
cooling, add phenol into it to make it more effective.

Fungicide Treatment

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58 Nishi Yadav & Dr. Vikas Gandhe

Apply Zinc silicofluoride to the stone sculpture, allow it to dry. This chemical easily penetrates in the pores of stone
sculpture and remains in the pores for a period of 3 years to 5 years. As an alternative, other fungicide chemical may also
be used depending upon the condition of stone. After the careful study of building materials, the effect of other chemicals
over those materials should be planned carefully. Otherwise, the effect of other selected material shall create harm to the
stones and mortars. Suggested some other fungicides to be adopted as per requirements – Santobrite; benzalkonium
chloride or benzalkonium acetates. Use of Silicic acid (H2S1O3) is used to remove the oil over the stone sculpture. This
acid is mostly used to safeguard the structure as it penetrates about 50mm deep into the mortar and no danger of forming
crust. This acid has less effect on loosing the color of stone.

To safeguard the heritage structure from insects: - It is recommended to use the chemical compounds as Ethox
(mixture of ethylene oxide with carbon dioxide).

Animal pest: use of mixture of ethylene oxide + methylene bromide + hydrogen cyanide.

For fungi and bacteria: ethylene oxide is helpful.

To control infestation: formaldehyde is adequate to minimize the deterioration.

Mortar Treatment

In the past, to prepare the mortar, mostly lime was added with sand and other additives used during the construction of
structures. These materials were unable to resist an attack of fumes and acids etc. Recently, some polymers were developed
which are helpful to increase the binding property of old mortar. Additions of these polymers will sort-out the problems of
not resisting fumes and acid effect over the old mortar. But, for such types of polymers, intense scientific effect is to be
studied in the well-developed scientific laboratories. To meet out this problem, scientists and engineers are working over
this fact and expected to develop some useful solution for grouting and binding materials with minimum/no damage to old
mortar and joints.

Masonry Walls

Cause of Failure and Restoration Method of Heritage Structures –

Masonry walls are exposed to weather and thereby suffers from rain water (which is acidic with Ph value is about
5.0). The acetic effect develops long and deep cavities within the core materials. In order to minimize this fault and to
strengthen the walls, heavy grouting material is to be injected with huge pressure in the cavities. Grouting satisfies the
following purposes:

 It improves the structural strength.

 It also checks the corrosion of iron.

 It increases the lifespan of structure.

 The walls after grouting bear an additional load without deformation.

 Because of grouting, structure can take slight movement without cracks.

 The structure becomes elastic and resilience.

 The grouting to wall also reduces the brittleness of structure.

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Innovative Techniques for Preservation of Heritage Structures under Different Environmental Failures 59

The selection of grouting material is to be studied carefully because the deterioration of structure at one place may
not be same everywhere as the environmental conditions changes from place to place. Hence, the same treatment should
not be applied at every place.

While selecting the types of mortar for the restoration of heritage structures, it should always be kept in mind that
the selected mortar should be compatible with the original (applied) mortar not only physically but it should be compatible
chemically also. While selecting the mortar, following specifications should always be taken into account:

- Mechanical strength - adhesion - flexibility - porosity

- Hydraulic property - crushed ceramic materials - Iron ore- Charcoal

- Crushed dolomite is used by replacing part of natural sand to improve the setting time and hardening of
mortar.

It was observed that in the ancient era, lime mortar was used to achieve the strength by mixing following
additives: albumen; cheese; eggs; fruit juice; glues; fibers; raisins etc.

In the present scenario, it is practically and technically also not possible to meet-out the old mortar compatibility.
In the modern era, to analyze and achieve or to improve the strength of mortar, some important scientific and instrumental
methods are adopted.

 Atomic absorption spectrophotometry

 Colorimetry

 Calcimetry

 ‘X’ Ray diffraction technique

 Infrared spectroscopy

 Electron microscopy

 Infrared analysis (IRS

These instruments/methods work as a powerful tool for analysis of organic and polymeric materials. These
methods are also useful to identify the types of inorganic materials in stone, cement, lime and such other materials.

Seismic Effect

 The important cause of failure is the seismic effect. Especially, in seismic zone IV and V is creating the maximum
disaster and thereby deterioration to the existing structures. Hence, adequate measures are required to safeguard
the important heritage structure. Before studying the applications of pre-disaster techniques, it is necessary to
study the existing status of heritage structure.

 The process of restoration is based on the location of earthquake zone; intensity; magnitude and frequency of
earthquake. If the structure is situated in seismic zone II and III, then the process of restoration will be different
from zone IV and V. Hence, seismic safety factor/criteria should be considered and the retrofitting is to be planted
accordingly. Another important point to be considered is to maintain the cultural and historical values as per the

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60 Nishi Yadav & Dr. Vikas Gandhe

requirements of Architects and Engineers before implementation of any retrofitting methods. The best option is to
plan a detailed discussion between concerned Architects and Engineers to obtain the optimum result with
economic as well as long lasting solutions.

 Retrofitting process of brick masonry wall failure due to seismic forces:

 The brick/stone masonry wall of important heritage structures must be safeguarded by providing the steel concrete
bands at the following locations: - plinth level; lintel level; below the roof slab; corner reinforcement and around
the opening of wall.

 Also, to improve the strength of wall, use of improved admixtures is essential.

 All the cracks are fully repaired by using a high quality of grouting mixture to be injected with high pressure.

 Providing vertical reinforcement with concrete covering on both sides of walls.

 If possible, prestressing work can also be carried out.

 Providing the seismic belt around the doors/windows openings.

 A mesh of steel wire of gauge 10 with 10 wires in vertical direction spaced at 20mm c/c in a belt width of 200mm.

 Vertical seismic belts at every corners of each room should be provided.

 Maximum M-25 mix concrete with 28mm thick Acrylic modified cement mortar is to be applied for concrete
band.

 To resist the earthquake forces, it is preferable to use strong dampers at opening.

 Another important method to safeguard the heritage structure from the seismic forces is to use base isolation
techniques for foundation.

CONCLUSIONS

 Heritage structures are the pride of nation.

 Main causes of deterioration of heritage structures are environmental; biological; deforestation and
industrialization etc.

 The major failure occurs in zone IV and V of earthquake prone area where the magnitude, intensity and frequency
of earthquake is high.

 To safeguard the life and protection from failure, appropriate restoration techniques should be adopted.

 For preservation of failure due to biological effects, different grades of mix, chemicals and admixtures must be
selected.

 To analyze the quality of material and mortar, a number of scientific and engineering methods are suggested in
details.

 Proper diagnosis is carried out to detect the root cause of failures.

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Innovative Techniques for Preservation of Heritage Structures under Different Environmental Failures 61

 For environmental failure; biological deterioration and non-performance of construction material including
mortars etc., correct step-wise diagnosis and appropriate methodology must be selected.

 The major threat of collapse of structure is of major seismic forces at earthquake zone IV and V. Hence, adequate
precautionary measures should be adopted.

 To safeguard the collapse of heritage structures, base isolation technique, use of friction dampers and other such
methods are dealt in detail.

 Failure of walls due to intense seismic force, use of concrete band, providing horizontal and vertical
reinforcement are suggested in detail.

 Openings in the wall are the major cause of failure due to earthquake forces.

 Various retrofitting are dealt to safeguard the total collapse of wall due to openings, installation of steel mesh and
other such techniques are dealt in detail.

 Failure of stone structure heritage can be protected by using different chemicals and compounds. The details of
these chemicals are dealt extensively.

 If the proper diagnosis is carried out and proper application of indicated methods is adopted, the life of heritage
structure can be extended.

REFERENCES

1. “Decay and Conservation of Stone Masonry” Building Research Digest, 177, part 2, HMSO; London 1975

2. “Weathering & Decay of Masonry”; Henry Born, Devid B; Book on Conservation of building & Stones, Vol.1

3. Losos; l; “Historical Mortars and Concretes; Technical Digest; 10(9), pp:553-560; 1968.

4. Lucas; A. “Ancient Egyptian materials and Industries”, London, 1948

5. D.Lewin, “Mechanism of masonry decay through crystallization”; “Conservation of Historic building and monuments”
National Academy of Science, Washington, 120-144

6. Sanghmitra.Basu, Prevention of heritage structures & earthquake issues; guidelines and lessons from the past, chapter 27,
“Repair and strengthening guide for earthquake damaged buildings in Gujarat” NPCBEERM, MHA (DM), Govt of India.

7. Prabhat Kumar, Ashish K. Singh. (2008), Preservation of heritage buildings and monuments, NBMCW, Feb 2008.

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11. Srinivas, Kurapati. "Nanomaterials for concrete technology." International Journal of Civil, Structural, Environmental and
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