Common Pathologies in Composite Adobe and Reinforced Concrete Constructions

Adobe construction is an important part of the built heritage in the Central Region of Portugal. The protection and rehabilitation of buildings of this type is becoming of increasing interest. In-depth knowledge will enable the preservation and assessment of this ancient technique with a high potential for sustainable construction, which forms the core aspect of the current research. The rehabilitation of these structures depends on an adequate diagnosis of their pathologies. Those most frequently observed are related to structural problems, absence of structural cohesion, damage by the wooden covering structure, and the effects of damage by water effect in to the structure and walls. These are often associated with a lack of maintenance of the buildings over a long period of time or with design detailing problems, namely stemming from when reinforced concrete was introduced into the traditional adobe construction system, or again by external environmental factors. Knowledge of the process of the introduction of reinforced concrete and its motifs are also important to this study. The pathologies observed in the mixed adobe/concrete system in addition to the traditional system are related to basement moisture, corrosion of reinforced concrete, wall cracking, degradation in coverings, and single parts of the curtain wall/facade and design errors. A timely correction of pathologies will mean a significant reduction in the cost of repair works or even in saving the construction from ruin. Minimum maintenance rules applied to old buildings, associated with a proper understanding of its behavior, can increase the longevity of this vast heritage. By protecting the identity of our towns, apart from the benefit of heritage and cultural preservation, it also encourages tourism and consequently increases local development.