The Ayodhya Ram temple, a site attracting a multitude of devotees, has been meticulously designed to endure earthquakes with a return period of 2,500 years, according to scientific studies conducted by the CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) – Roorkee.
Senior scientist Debdutta Ghosh and Manojit Samanta, coordinators of the Centre of Excellence for Conservation of Heritage Structures at CSIR-CBRI, led the scientific teams in various studies to ensure the structural safety of the temple, including geophysical characterisation, geotechnical analysis, foundation design vetting, and 3D structural analysis and design.
Ghosh explained that the scientific study aimed to guarantee the temple’s structural safety for the Maximum Considered Earthquake, equivalent to a 2,500-year return period. The geophysical characterisation process involved techniques such as Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and electrical resistance tomography to estimate primary wave velocity and identify anomalies, water saturation zones, and water tables.
These findings provided crucial inputs for site-specific responses in underground investigations and the estimation of seismic design parameters. The CSIR-CBRI also played a role in vetting soil investigation schemes, foundation design parameters, excavation schemes, and recommendations for foundation and structure monitoring.
The structural design of the Ram temple was recommended after simulating over 50 computer models and analyzing them under different loading conditions for optimal performance, architectural appeal, and safety. The entire superstructure is constructed using Bansi Paharpur sandstone, designed as a dry jointed structure with no steel reinforcement, ensuring a lifespan of 1,000 years.
Ghosh highlighted that the superstructure material, Bansi Paharpur sandstone, underwent testing at the Centre to evaluate engineering properties that were used as input for structural analysis. Additionally, specialized bricks with a compressive strength of over 20 MPa at 28 days of curing have been employed, contributing to the earthquake resilience and overall durability of the structures.
The scientific approach to the design and construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple reflects a commitment to heritage conservation, structural safety, and engineering excellence, ensuring that the iconic structure stands the test of time and natural forces.
