Rehabilitation of Gurva Griha of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri
A Case Study

Till very recently, for the treatment of structural cracks in concrete, the most extensively used material was Epoxy Resin. In our over enthusiasm, we, the practicing engineers, sometimes use Epoxy Resins rather indiscriminantly.

Epoxy, no doubt, remains an excellent material to be used in repairs of concrete, but it definitely demands a thorough and extensive study of following aspects before choosing it for the rehabilitation measures :

a) The difference in its co-efficient of thermal expansion in comparison to that of concrete (this requires restriction of the volume of epoxy inside a concrete structure);
b) Its Heat Deflection Temperature (H.D.T) in comparison to the surrounding temperature;
c) Its moisture insensitiveness for application in wet condition;
d) Its creep property requiring proper filler and
e) Its cost factor. Any alternate material to be developed should satisfy the following requirements.

• The grout material should have physical characteristics as close as those of cocreate itself
• It should have sufficient flowability and low granule size to penetrate reasonably small cracks
• It should be in-sensitive to the presence of moisture of water
• It must have non shrink characteristics
• It must have early strength gain characteristics and good bond with the substrate