Risk Evaluation Methodology for Weather-Related Degradation of Building façades

ABSTRACT

Weather action is a relevant cause of façade degradation. Specific research evidence concerning its impact on the durability of building materials still needs to be comprehensively investigated and fully evaluated. This paper outlines a risk evaluation methodology for weather-related degradation of building façades. Two phases are considered: (1) laboratory work focussing on generic weather simulation in the wind tunnel in order to establish the hygric and thermo-aerodynamic vulnerabilities of constructions and to evaluate possible protective measures; (2) analysis of meteorological data and mapping of actual and projected hazards. Methods include the simulation and validation of wind-driven rain with gravimetric assessment of rainwater penetration into material specimens, the characterisation of the thermal behaviour of façades and that of the interaction between wind and building, using pressure measurements and flow visualization. The results enable decision-makers and professionals to evaluate the risk of weather-related degradation, individuating those areas of the construction more prone to damage, and thus to plan for adequate protection strategies. This would optimise the allocation of resources and increase the overall resilience of building structures. Future work is suggested with the intent of further validating the methodology both experimentally and with real-life applications.

KEYWORDS:

• building façades
• degradation
• methodology
• protective measures
• simulation
• wind-driven rain

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support to this research of the GACR project number 22-08786S of the Czech Science Foundation and the Strategie AV21 of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Czech academy of sciences and Czech sciences foundation [Strategie AV21]; Grantová Agentura České Republiky [22-08786S].