Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: This research was conducted in order to characterize the structural damage of the facades of colonial houses in the historical center of Cartagena (Colombia). Methods: Such objective was achieved by means of a descriptive bibliographical research, along with field data collection, photographic records and analysis results by sampling. The study sample consisted of 100 of the most representative colonial houses whose typology had remained unaltered; 42 of them were grouped as Low Houses (LH) and 58 as High Houses (HH). Mechanical, chemical and physical structural damages were identified for different parts of the facade houses. Findings: Fouling and erosion were the most common physical structural damages found in the colonial houses; the highest results of them were obtained for walls, in which fouling was presented in 95.24 % of the LH and erosion damage exposed 82.76%of the HH. Walls also presented the greatest mechanical structural damage, where fissures reached 85.71 % of the LH. Finally, the chemical structural damage most meaningful was fungi found in the walls of the HH, exposing 74.34 %. This research makes a great contribution since a study like this had not been made before for the colonial houses in Cartagena. Application/Improvements: The results obtained in this report would provide pertinent institutions with enough data to facilitate the selection of proper interventions to be applied in the houses.

Keywords: Characterize, Colonial House, Heritage, Pathology, Structural Damage