Characterization of Tenth century seenakesavaperumal temple building materials

Abstract

This paper presents the analytical characterization study on 10tofcentury seenakesavaperumal temple, Yelagiri, Tamilnadu. The samples from the temple were extracted from walls from, the inner sanctum, brick masonry mortar, and cement mortar at the specific spots on avoiding structural damages under the Hindu religious and charitable endowment governance, Tamilnadu, temple authorities, and conservators. From the external visual observation and present state, the ancient structure has prone been to a few degrees of inclination from its original state due to weakened soil structure interaction and catastrophic environmental conditions for more than centuries. The analytical method, such as X-Ray diffraction, was used to investigate the mineralogical interaction and its crystalline growth to establish the computable construction materials. The XRD results on the extracted samples have affirmed the stone samples have better performances with quartz and feldspar at high ranges. Further the brick mortar from the exterior walls revealed the complete transformation of CSH and CAH peaks into carbonate polymorphs. High range portlandite peaks in cement mortar sample affirmed the incomplete transformation of calcite due to the absence of external exposure conditions to the atmosphere. This study also worked as a base for the state archaeology and modern conservators to restore ancient wisdom and national integrity.