Taj mahal : A brief engineering perspective

Taj mahal : A brief engineering perspective

1. A PRESENTATION PREPARED BY :- SUBHAM CHOWDHURY ; ROLL- 2014~5040 ; REGN. NO. :- A2567 OF 2014~2015 UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ; BURDWAN UNIVERSITY GUIDED BY : SOUMEN ROY (AST. PROF) TAJ MAHAL “A tear in the face of eternity ” Rabindranath Tagore

2. Introduction & Brief History Plan of Taj Complex Exterior of Taj Mahal Foundation Details Of Taj Mahal Sectional Detailing of Taj Mahal Materials Used For Construction Components Of The Taj Complex Water Distribution System Present Threats Faced By Taj Mahal Preventive Measures Conclusion References Contents

3. Introduction & Brief History The Taj Mahal represents the finest and most sophisticated example of Mughal architecture. The 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the mausoleum upon the death of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Today it is one of the most famous and recognisable buildings in the world , the white domed marble mausoleum being the most familiar part of the monument. . The architects were Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Mir Abd-ul Karim . Construction began in 1632 AD, on the south bank of the River Yamuna in Agra, and was substantially complete by 1648 AD .

4. Plan of Taj Complex Taj Ganj Yamuna Char Bagh Tomb Ornamental pool Mosque Guest House ( Jawab ) Darwaza-i-Ruaza Royal Tomb Servants Quaters

5. Exterior of Taj Mahal

6. Foundation Details Of Taj Mahal Well foundation Taj Mahal has what is famously known as the well foundation. Building the foundations in this way was probably the most crucial step technologically, as the riverbank sand had to be stabilised. A series of conduits, and drainage pipes encased in stone and mortar were built into the foundation to divert the river water. Wells were then sunk and cased with ebony or mahogany wood and were filled with rubble and masonry - essentially acting as augured piles . After the foundation was complete the river terrace or the first plinth was constructed. Unskilled labourers built the plinth with stone and masonry which was faced with red sandstone by the skilled labourers. The second plinth was similarly constructed and faced with white marble attached with the help of iron clamps and dowels. Arched Vaults

7. . \ The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. Its central dome is 55 feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each . The central inner dome is (81 ft) high and (58 ft) in diameter, but is surmounted by an outer shell nearly 200 ft . Sectional Detailing of Taj Mahal 213ft 55ft 58t 162.5ft 81ft

8. White marble was brought from Makrana (Rajasthan) Common stones: Sang- i - Gwaliari (grey and yellow sandstone) Sang- i - Surkh (red sandstone) and Sang- i - Rukhan (sang- i - marmar ; white marble) were used in foundations, masonry and for giving finishing touch to the external surfaces . Rare and scarce stones such as Tilai (goldstone), Zahar-mohra , Ajuba , Abri , ,and Maknatis (magnet stone) were used for bold inlay and mosaic work chiefly on floors, exterior dados and turrets Different kind of bricks, Gaj-i-Shirin (sweet limestone), Khaprel or tiles, Qulba or Spouts to lead off water, San, Gum, Sirish-i-Kahli or reed glue, Gul-i-Surkh or red clay, Simgil (silver clay) and glass. Country ingredients such as molasses; batashe (sugar-bubbles), belgiri -water, urd -pulse, curd, jute and Kankar (pieces of fossilized soil) were mixed with lime mortar to make it an ideal cementing material Materials Used For Construction

9. The mausoleum is cubic with chamfered edges. On the long sides, a massive  pishtaq , or vaulted archway frames an arch-shaped doorway . To either side of the main arch, additional pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on the chamfered corner areas. The design is completely uniform and consistent on all sides of the building. Components Of The Taj Complex : A.Rauza-i - Munauwara 1.Elevation

10. The dome is accentuated by the cylindrical "drum" it sits on which is approximately 7 metres high. Located at the exact centre of the structure, the main dome is flanked by four smaller domes on four sides . The drum that adds support to the circular top. The weight of the dome is distributed to the building on which it is rested then to the arches from where it is transferred to the plinth and foundation. 2 .The Dome

11. 2 .The Dome : Structural Detailing Spindle beam -provides horizontal support to the frame Middle strut makes the bend required for onion shape Cylindrical drum providing support to top dome There piece struts – from base to top post Scarf joint p rovides m aximun strength King post

12. The inner chamber is an octagon , containing the cenotaphs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan The interior walls are about 25 metres high, topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. Eight pishtaq (arches) define the space at ground level. As is typical with the exterior, each lower pishtaq is crowned by a second pishtaq about midway up the wall. The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas; each balcony's exterior window has an  ” jali ”  cut from marble. Each of the chamber walls has been highly decorated with dado bas relief, intricate lapidary inlay, and refined calligraphy panels. 3. Main Chamber ( Hasht Bihisht )

13. The bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are laid in a relatively plain, marble faced chamber, beneath the main chamber of the Taj . They are buried in graves on a north-south axis, with faces turned right (west) toward Mecca. Two cenotaphs above mark the graves. Mumtaz's cenotaph is placed at the precise center of the inner chamber. 4. Interior Chamber

14. At the corners of the plinth stand minarets: four large towers each more than 40 metres tall. Each minaret is effectively divided into three equal parts by two balconies that ring the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chhatri . Each of the minarets was constructed slightly out of plumb to the outside of the plinth, so that in the event of collapse) the structure would fall away from the tomb B. RiverFront Terrece ( Chameli Farsh ) 1. Minarets

15. The mausoleum is flanked by two almost identical buildings on either side of the platform. To the west is the Mosque, to the east is Jawab . The floors have a geometric design, while the mosque floor was laid out with the outlines of 569 prayer rugs in black marble. 2.Jawab and Mosque

16. This is the entrance gate for the Taj complex . The corners are articulated with octagonal towers giving the structure a defensive appearance.   From within the great gate, the Mausoleum is framed by the pointed arch of the portal. Darwaza-i-rauza (The Great Gate)

17. The water was first drawn from the river by a series of  purs  - an animal-powered rope and bucket mechanism. The water then flowed along an arched aqueduct into a large storage tank, where, by thirteen additional purs , it was raised to large distribution cistern above the Taj ground level From here water passed into three subsidiary tanks and was then piped to the complex. The head of pressure generated by the height of the tanks (9.5m) was sufficient to supply the fountains and irrigate the gardens. Water Distribution System

18. Due to Mathura oil refinery and local industrial pollution Sulpher Dioxide is produced and gets mixed with atmosphere. Clouds contain moisture The Reaction: So 2 +H 2 O= H 2 SO 4 This means sulphuric acid As per metrological studies the wind direction is usually move in the direction where Taj is situated Rain shower comes in contact of monument which is made of marble; either calcium oxide The reaction : CaO+H 2 SO 4 =Ca 2 So 4 +H 2 O This causes deteoriation of exposed surface , a yellowish colour is attained by the white marble . Present Threats Faced By Taj Mahal

19. To protect Taj Mahal , a government of India institute called NEERI targets at clearing the air in ' Taj Trapezium'. Taj Trapezium refers to an area that includes towns of Agra, Mathura, Bharatpur and Firozabad. As a result of this plan, over 2000 industries situated inside the trapezium had transferred.  Preventive Measures

20. Although Taj Mahal belong to an age of grandeur that no longer exists , this awe- inspiring monument is ageless in its beauty and symmetry . Today the Taj stand as an epitome of love , peace , harmony ; an Engineering Feat accomplished . Despite the on going concern about its safety and efforts to solve the mysteries , Taj Mahal remains an clear expression of Man’s quest for immortality and his love for the woman . Conclusion

21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origins_and_architecture_of_the_Taj_Mahal#Mausoleum_.28Rauza-i_munauwara.29 https://archive.org/stream/buildinghistoryt00myra#page/54/mode/2up http://www.agraindia.org.uk/taj-mahal/architecture/building-materials-used.html https://www.slideshare.net/AnkitSinha22/taj-mahal-architecture https://www.slideshare.net/mumal1992/tajmahal-27131343 https://www.slideshare.net/sherwin53/presentation1-26746861?qid=7c3db76f-fbd9-429e-8e15-f3bb016c07db&v=&b=&from_search=1 http://www.aboutcivil.org/structural-reinforcement-details-taj-mahal.html References

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