DR S &S.

S GHANDY COLLEGE
ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY,
MAJURA GATE, SURAT.

A
CASE STUDY REPORT
ON
Study The Preservation Work Of A Historical Building

SUBJECT: -
MAINTANANCE AND REHABITILIZATION
OF STRUCTURES. (3360605)

PREPARED BY: -
CIVIL-2,SEM-6,BATCH-2

GUIDED BY: -
MS. TEJAL.C. PATEL

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 PREPARED BY

NAME OF
ENROLLMENT ENROLLMENT NAME OF THE
THE
NO. NO. STUDENT
STUDENT

186120306522 MANIYA HENIL M 186120306531 PATEL CHIRAG H.

186120306523 MARATHE SHITAL S. 186120306532 PATEL DEV R.

186120306524 MEHTA RIDDHESH U. 186120306533 PATEL FENIL J

186120306526 MORADIYA RONAK P 186120306535 PATEL KENIL B.

186120306527 PANIGRAHI AMIT A. 186120306538 PATEL PRIYANSHI D.

186120306529 PARIHAR HARSHA R. 186120356539 PATEL RAJ

186120306530 PARMAR SAHIL M. 186120306540 PATEL SAHIL P.

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• ABSTRACT
The conservation of historic buildings is an established method to preserve a heritage
structure through restoration and maintenance works. Maintenance has been
identified as a key intervention in protecting historic structure by prolonging a
building lifespan. The importance of carrying out a systematic and routine
maintenance works subsequent to the conservation works carried out. Noted,
without systematic and proper maintenance approach, historic buildings will
deteriorate and will not be able to function as it is. This report intends to highlight the
current practice of maintenance approaches that are being in historic building in
Surat Castle or Surat Fort.

• INTRODUCTION
Surat Castle, or Surat Fort is a 16th century structure in Surat city. Since the king
wanted to build a very strong Castle, the component units of the masonry were
bonded or fastened together with iron strips and the joints were filled by pouring the
melted lead.

It is a load bearing structure. This structure being ancient, it was necessary to check
the structural stability for safety reasons. SMC has carried out the work of
comprehensive structural stability.

In the year 2015, the Government of Gujarat has given the responsibilities of
conservation and restoration of historical Fort of Surat to Surat Municipal
Corporation. Surat Municipal Corporation has carefully examined and appointed
various able agencies to carry out conservation and restoration work of the Fort.

The restoration, conservation, preservation and maintenance of the fort would make
this an important heritage site in Surat. The project is likely to be completed in 2020-
21. This is an example of Structural conservation, Reconstruction and adaptive re-use.

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 A. HISTORY OF SURAT CASTLE OR SURAT FORT
Though in context of the identity of Surat in medieval times many views have been
expressed by different historians, in all the historical narratives Surat has emerged as
one of the major ports of international importance on the map of the world trade. A
Portuguese traveller named Barbosa during his visit to Gujarat in 1514 has described
Surat as a city of great trade in all classes of merchandise, a very important seaport
yielding a large revenue to the king, and frequented by many ships from Malabar and
many other ports.

Shortly before Barbosa was in Gujarat, Surat is said to have been burnt by the
Portuguese in 1512. Surat reportedly suffered from a wholly unprovoked, and
piratical raid, in 1530, a second time by the Portuguese under the leadership of
Antonio da Silvaria. Though the assailants were opposed by a guard of 300 horses and
10000 foot soldiers, but at the first charge the defenders fled, and the town was taken
and burnt. As they were still at the war with the Gujarat King, the Portuguese again
burnt Surat in the next year, 1531. The Ahmedabad king Sultan Mahmud Shah III
(1538-1554), who was very much annoyed by these frequent destruction of Surat,
ordered for building a very strong castle and entrusted the work to Safi Agha, a
Turkish soldier who had been ennobled with the title of Khudawand Khan. He was
provided with substantial budget and was ordered to plan and build a very strong
castle. Khudawand Khan initially selected three alternative sites for building the
castle. The main aim of the construction of the Fort was to fortify the defence against
the Portuguese. The Fort was built on an irregular square in plan and of Portuguese
in style.

The height of the Fort wall was 20 Gaj (Yard) and 15 meters wide at each corner there
is a large round bastion having 12. 2-meter height and the thickness of the wall was
4.1 meter.

In order to counteract the attack of the Portuguese, Khudavand made adequate

defence arrangements by installing the cannons. Since the king wanted to build a very
strong Castle, the component units of the masonry were bonded or fastened together
with iron strips and the joints were filled by pouring the melted lead.

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 Although during the Restoration of the Fort, during the research and by excavation
and explorations it is found that long ago by the Tughalaq dynasty (c. 1351-1388 A.D.)
a Fort was built on the bank of river Tapi in Surat, which was relatively smaller than
the present Fort. The Fort was subsequently altered, modified and extended as per
the needs of the occupier i.e.

Mainly during the possession of Sultanate period, Mughals, British period and after
the independence by various Government offices.

In the year 2015, the Government of Gujarat has given the responsibilities of
conservation and restoration of historical Fort of Surat to Surat Municipal
Corporation. Surat Municipal Corporation has carefully examined and appointed
various able agencies to carry out conservation and restoration work of the Fort.

LAYOUT OF FORT

• HOW HISTORICAL BUILDING DIFFER FROM

NORMAL BUILDING
To be considered "historic," a property must have three essential attributes: sufficient
age, a relatively high degree of physical integrity, and historical significance.

• Age: A property must be "old enough" to be considered historic. This fort is as old
as 500 years, as it was constructed in 16th century to defend the city.

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• Physical integrity: In addition to having sufficient age, a property must retain its
historic physical integrity. It should be relatively unchanged, must be recognizable,
evidenced through tradition, and still used and reserved in some way. Its essential
character must still be present.

• Historical significance: The structure must be significant to be considered

historic. This fort is associated with its history of constructing it for the defence of
city by the King. Its architectural planning, artistic values, other physical
investigation and analysis had the potential to yield the important information of the
past.

EVALUATION
The Fort was examined and was investigation was carried out before the start of
conservation and maintenance. The various tests on the structure were done,
including necessary NDT tests (non-destructive tests) like

• Core test for the walls and for stones

• Static load test for floor structural stability

• Ultra sonic pulse velocity test

• Micro drill test for wooden structure

B. RESTORATION OF FORT: -
This Fort of Surat being ancient and load bearing structure, it was necessary to check
the structural stability for safety reasons before restoration work. Surat Municipal
Corporation has carried out the work of comprehensive structural stability. Necessary
non-destructive test like core test for the walls and for stones, static load test for floor
structural stability, endoscopy and static load test for checking vault, ultra-sonic pulse
velocity test, tapping test and micro drill tests for wooden structure, stability were
carried out.

It was revealed during restoration that one of the bottom parts of the fort belongs to
Firozshah Tughlaq era, above it is extended British construction and on one of the
sides is of the Gujarat Sultanat i.e. during the times of Khudavand Khan. From all of
these, the part which provided the most important information was restored.

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Accordingly, restoration was commenced from the part that was made during the era
of Firozshah Tughlaq. In this the broadness of mortar used to be thicker. Bricks were
thin, about 2 to 2.5 inches and its width was broad. One of the most important thing is
that, during that time there was no other spanning system except wood. That’s why
wood was used to build roofs. Likewise, this fort was restored according to open
building construction system. Jack arch flooring was found in the fort. Some of its parts
are also open restored. When flooring plaster was removed from the top portion of the
fort, it was revealed that there was something like a court at this place and the style of
construction has been traced out as Dutch style. The underground tank of about
300000 liters was found inside the fort, possibly it was used for water storage.

WATER TANK

One more part was found inside the fort. It has a ventilation system through which cold
air enters from the bottom and hot air evacuates from the top of the room. It is
designed in such a way that these tunnels are not visible from outside.

There are the five bastions of the fort and every bastion is unique.

Looking to this part of the fort it seems that there would have been a bathing facility
at this place. Facility of hot water and arrangement of hot air to flow outside as well
as tunnels to discard cold water were also built. Restoring the historical heritage of
Surat, imparting more glitter to the shining pride of Surat and giving a new identity to
this old fort, is a humble effort by Surat Municipal Corporation.

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BEFORE AFTER

SULTANATE PERIOD RAMPART

BASTION

BUILDING BEFORE AND AFTER

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 MUGHAL GALLERY

TRADE GALLERY

PERSONALITIES OF SURAT GALLERY

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 BUILDING WITH TUGHLAQ ERA VAULTS
One more part was found inside the fort. It has a ventilation system through which cold
air enters from the bottom and hot air evacuates from the top of the room. It is designed
in such a way that these tunnels are not visible from outside.

There are total five bastions in the Fort and every bastion is unique. This fort is restored
according to open building construction system.

Whole Fort is given a new look including Mughal gallery, trade galley, buildings, bastions,
sultanate period rampart, etc. and all the sections are preserved and maintained.

The part of the Fort that has been restored has a new look. Also the service for fire safety
has been provided at all places by fire hydrants and the risers.

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C. CAUSES OF DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE:

Buildings are made up of a series of connected parts that fit together to make a strong
and comfortable structure. The building envelope is generally the shell of the building
that separates the interior from the exterior. The finishes are those final touches that
make your building functional, comfortable and attractive. The main function of the
building envelope is to keep water out of the building, which is the single most
damaging element to a heritage building.

Signs of moisture problems:

➢ stains on drywall or plaster

➢ damp or wet insulation

➢ damp or rotted wood framing members

➢ rust and corrosion stains on metal elements

➢ paint that’s peeling or blistering

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 ➢ rotten wall sheathing or siding

➢ efflorescence (salt deposits) on interior or exterior surfaces

➢ dank, musty smells, particularly in the basement or other poorly ventilated

spaces.

• Interior:

➢ cracks in the plaster or drywall

➢ doors and windows that stick Sloping or cracks in the floor

• Exterior:
➢ cracks in the brick

➢ gaps around the doors and windows

➢ fascia board pulling away

➢ cracks in the foundation

D. METHODS OF MAINTENANCE:

TESTS CARRIED OUT BEFORE RESTORATION:

• GENERAL MEASURE

1) reduction of unwanted load

2) removal of natural growth

3) injection of appropriate grouts

4) re-plaster

5) replacing damaged parts and strengthen of structure

6) re-construction

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 • NON-DESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION

➢ Evaluating a component without affecting the serviceability of the part or material.

➢ Visual inspection-obvious defects are identified.

➢ Pseudo NDE methods-tapping survey, micro-drill test.

• NON-DESTRUCTIVE TECHNIQUES

➢ Evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing

damage. Rebound hammer test
➢ Ultrasonic pulse velocity test using different devices.

➢ High velocity sound waves are introduced into a material and they are reflected
back from surface.it locates cracks in brick and stone masonry, wood etc.

➢ Discontinuities in the cell structures or decay slow down sound propagation

• STRENGTHENING FOUNDATIONS

➢ RCC foundation jackets are constructed along the masonry wall.

➢ It is connected to the wall with steel tie.

➢ The supported soil is grouted.

• MASONRY STRUCTURES

➢ Re-pointing the joints

➢ Removal and replacement of damaged, weak and withered material /

reconstructed. Dutchman repair
➢ Injection of appropriate grouts.

➢ Vertical longitudinal or transverse reinforcement/stiches.

➢ Insertion of headers through stones or headers.

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 • REPAIR WORKS

REPAIR TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGY:

➢ First they clean the old and bad plaster. Clean the surface for new plaster.

➢ The vegetation’s and ruts of the unwanted tress which was grown on the wall was
removed till its end with the chemical treatments.

➢ The also made column for support masonry works and provide stability for
structure

• FOUNDATION REPAIR WORK

➢ First they excavate entire person of wall up to foundation and remove the all old
and rough plastering work and stone masonry. Clean the surface for new masonry
work.

➢ Then cut the rajula stone in proper dimension for suitable portion.

➢ After it they conduct rajula stone masonry with specially made lime mortar.

• COMPOSITE MASNORY:
➢ Composite Masonry Walls. These walls are constructed with two or more units such as
stones or bricks and hollow bricks.

➢ This type of masonry wall construction is done for better appearance with economy. In
composite masonry walls, two type of masonry units are constructed bonding with each
other.

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 ➢ “RAJULA” stone is use for composite masonry.

➢ For composite masonry wall use lime mortar. With: 1: 4 proportions.

➢ Then also look as heritage buildings as old fort.

➢ They made masonry length 1m as old masonry with 8” width.

• BRICK MASONRY WORK:

The brick masonry work to be carried out at the fort for the walls. The bricks used were
thin, about 1 to 1.5 inches and its width was broad. In this the mortar used is to be
thicker.

One of the most important thing is that, during that time there was no other material
except wood for the roofs. That’s why wood was used to build roofs. Likewise, this fort
was restored according to open building construction system.

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• PROVIDE STEEL BEAMS AND COLUMN:
➢ They provide beam and column to support old structure. And provide stability.

➢ That beam and columns are made my steel structure.

➢ After complete work they provide architectural looks.

➢ This steel structure joints with plats with bolts.

• LIME MORTAR PLANT

The lime mortar plant was set itself at the site. The mortar used for the masonry work
and other repair work. The lime mortar, combination of lime and aggregate or coarse

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sand. It is easy to handle the components like bricks, blocks and stone by the lime
mortar.

• PREPARATION OF LIME MORTAR:

• They use lime +sand+ surkhi + gol + belly for making lime mortar.

• First lime stone is slacking for 4 months for complete dehydration.

• After that lime, sand and surkhi are mix with proportion 1: 1.2: 4.

• This mix is mixed in the ghanti for about 3 hours with gol and belly as a binding
agent

• After mixing they stored that mortar for future uses.

• This mortar is use any time and anyway.

MIXING UNIT
• This mortar is use under 30 minutes.

• This mortar use for composite masonry, pointing, plasters.

• This lime plaster is providing colling under the room. And it is permeable to
moisture.

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 • FABRICATION WORK:

The fabrication work to be done for the interiors of the Fort. The materials used for the
fabrication work is aluminium section and the wooden. As the ceiling portion of the
bastion was break down and of defaults, so it was to be renovated and restored.

• CORE WALL CONSTRUCTION

The construction of core wall is to be carried out with the brick masonry and rubble
masonry.

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 • EQUIPMENT USED- DERICK CRANE
➢ A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin
pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks
have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and
a boom hinged at its base to provide articulation, as in a stiff leg derrick.

➢ It is use for transportation of stones and other materials.

RUBBLE CONVEY BY TOWER CRANE

The rubbles used for the core wall construction are conveyed and reached to the work
place by the Tower Crane.

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 • FINANCIAL ASPECT
Surat Fort and its nearby area is likely to undergo a Rs. 154 crore makeover. The budget
was approved by public works committee of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). An area
of 3 Sq. km around the old fort will be developed as part of Chowk bazar heritage square
project.

The work is to be carried out under different phases. The first phase work was completed
at an expense of Rs 20 crore and the second phase of Rs 34 crore.

The restoration project of Surat Castle combines structural conservation, material

conservation, artistic interpretation, adaptive reuse, and recreation of history—to offer
an immersive experience to its users.

Also the addition of sound and light show arrangements to be done to make it more
attractive.

Restoring the historical heritage of Surat, imparting more glitter to the shining pride of
Surat and giving a new identity to this old fort, is a humble effort by Surat Municipal
Corporation.

• REFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surat_Castle
https://www.suratmunicipal.gov.in/Services/SuratFortHome
https://suratdiaries.in/2019/03/01/surat-castle-fort-heritage-site/
https://www.suratmunicipal.gov.in/TheCity/SuratCastle

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