Natural Air Cooling System in 16th Century Mughal’s India: Architechtural Technology and Characterization

Author(s): Manager Singh and Selvam Vinodh Kumar
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceeding of the 71st RILEM Annual Week & ICACMS 2017
Editor(s): Manu Santhanam, Ravindra Gettu, Radhakrishna G. Pillai, Sunitha K. Nayar
ISBN:978-2-35158-195-7, 978-2-35158-190-2 (Set)
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-191-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 629-638
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: This study deliberates on unique lime construction technology adopted in Western India’s 16th century Mughal summer palace at Fariah Bagh. Onsite statigraphy observations show, multilayer lime plastering with two to five layers at different locations and insertion of potsherd/brick pieces in the thick inner plaster layers. Macro and microscopic examination revealed that the light weight fired potsherds/ brick pieces in the thick lime plaster (5-13 cm) played main role in natural air cooling system during dry hot summer. The large numbers of wooden beams and doors were chiseled rough and iron nail hammered to give support to the thick plaster. The analytical examination of the construction materials carried through particle size analysis, XRD, XRF, FTIR and SEM photomicrograph showed that slightly hydraulic lime was mixed with lithologically heterogeneous clasts for plasters. The major minerals detected in the potsherds are calcite, quartz, iron oxide and muscovite. The heterogeneous aggregates, local sand and organic additives like jute fibers and dry paddy stem provided strength and durability to the plaster. The porous potsherds/brick pieces absorbed moisture from the surrounding fountains and released it slowly through the lime plaster layers without creating any functional instability.

Online publication :2017
Publication type :full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00