Characterization methodology to efficiently manage the conservation of historical rammed-earth buildings

ABSTRACT: Over recent centuries, earthen-building techniques have been falling into disuse despite the long tradition of using earth as a building material. Rammed-earth walls have a rich heritage value in Spain. These structures are at high risk mainly due to a lack of maintenance. It is therefore necessary to underline their characteristics, often much less known, in order to ensure proper management of their conservation and maintenance. The management of a heritage object requires greater understanding for medium and long-term planning. To this end, a study of vulnerability and risk is introduced, as was alleged by several international organizations. Since no specific methodology has been developed to evalu-ate historical rammed-earth walls, this research is intended to indicate a new system of approach to any type of restoration or even facilitate the decision-making when managing a large heritage site. guidelines for intervention and helping in the decision-making, by means of assessment meth-odology based mainly on a comprehensive/proper understanding of the damaging process and vul-nerability of these kinds of earthen walls. Like-wise, the proposed methodology is part of a recent research work carried out by the current autho