Kalidas Jethabhai House & Mukhi Delu, Dharmaj - CPP on ‘Non-Invasive Testing Methods for Historic Buildings (Batch-1)’

In July 2022, CEPT Professional Programs (CPP) conducted a five-day workshop on ‘Non-Invasive Testing Methods for Historic Buildings’.

This course was developed to help participants develop the skill of conducting Non-Destructive Tests (NDT) and Minor Destructive Tests (MDT) for historic buildings through hands-on engagement. NDT and MDT methods of material investigation are imperative for retaining maximum historic fabric, while providing useful information regarding the building material and the structure.

Session 1: the exercise included on-site identification of various factors that helped in determining the scope of NDT and MDT. The participants carried out a geometric survey of the site in order to understand the change in levels, deflections or indication of settlement. This was then followed by a visual condition mapping of the site and understanding water ingress paths and critical areas. 

Sessions 2 & 3: the participants engaged with NDT/MDT equipment such as Ultra Sonic Pulse Velocity, Rebound hammer, Borescope, Rebar detector, Moisture meter etc. The participants were exposed to hands-on experiences of identifying areas to be tested, surface preparations, sequence of testing, operating NDT/MDT equipment, understanding the challenges of execution and interpretation of the results.

Session 4: The Minor destructive test brick samples from the site and timber prototype specimens were tested for their mechanical properties at CEPT Laboratory. The results helped participants to get accurate quantified strength of the material used at the historic site. 

Session 5: a series of input lectures from guest speakers Dr. Aanal Shah, Khushi Shah, Dr. Arun Menon and Mehul Shah discussing the aspects of use of non-invasive methods of testing for historic sites. These input sessions threw light on topics such as an overview of NDT/MDT, special case studies, precautions and challenges of non-invasive test applications. The workshop ended by giving the participants an overall summary of the workshop and a way forward. 

The course was held at CEPT Conservation Site School in Dharmaj, which is presently under the custodianship of Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC), CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF).

About CPP:

CPP bridges the gap between academics, practice, policy-making and implementation, through short certificate courses. The mission of CPP is to support individual and organizational learning by creating opportunities to acquire new skills and capabilities, thus allowing professionals to stay relevant in the current knowledge-based global context. It achieves this by offering professional development, continuing education, and up- skilling opportunities for professionals and in-service persons across disciplines concerned with urban development and the built habitat. 

CPP draws from the expertise and capacity of accomplished faculty at CEPT University, enhanced further by experts and practitioners from the field. All programmes are built on deep research, vast consultancy projects, and innovative pedagogies. CPP offers a repertoire of short courses and topic-focused programs across the disciplines of architecture, design, planning, and management with immersive learning approaches combining interactive lectures, case studies, and peer-to-peer exchanges.