Performance of Historic Adobe Structure
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Adobe is an uncemented to weakly cemented material, which makes it susceptible to erosion or disintegration from rainfall, periodic flooding, or the presence of a shallow ground‐water table. This paper deals with the Guajome Ranch house, in Vista, Calif., a National Historic Landmark, which was primarily built during the period 1852–54. It was constructed of adobe walls (0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft) thick. Both the interior and exterior of the Guajome Ranch house have considerably deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance. Drainage of the main courtyard is accomplished by simply letting water flow in ditches beneath the interior floor‐boards. This has resulted in severe deterioration where the water has come in contact with the adobe foundation. The results of laboratory tests on original adobe material demonstrated the rapid deterioration of the adobe when it is subjected to wetting‐drying cycles. A new surface drainage system is proposed for the Guajome Ranch house in order to prevent surface water from coming in contact with the adobe foundation.
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References
1.
Day, R. W. (1990). “Index test for erosion potential.” Bull. Assoc. of Engrg. Geologists, 27(1), 116–117.
2.
“Guajome ranch house, Vista, California.” (1986). Nat. Historic Landmark Condition Assessment Rep., Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
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Copyright © 1993 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 24, 1992
Published online: Aug 1, 1993
Published in print: Aug 1993
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