Management and Conservation of Heritage Buildings Through Information Systems and Quality Management to Face Incoming Environmental Risks Related to Hygrothermal Actions in the Building Envelope

The envelope of buildings is subjected to external environmental actions, particularly those linked with hygrothermal actions, which could represent an important conditioning factor for their sustainability, especially due to the risks of the corresponding reduction of performance and durability. The conservation and renovation of heritage buildings is a multifaceted and intricate operation, which could entail a management approach that systematically connects the diverse valences and uses information technology required to perform the complex task of heritage building conservation. An approach to the management and conservation of heritage buildings with the use of information technology is presented here, particularly with an initial description of the basic factors influencing moisture presence and surface recession/cracking in the vertical envelope of buildings and their respective impacts on durability. In the following, examples are presented of moisture presence and surface recession/cracking in the vertical envelope of buildings with natural stone (laterite) masonry walls and buildings with reinforced concrete elements and infill masonry walls. Subsequently, the presence of moisture in the vertical envelope of buildings and the consequent risk of water penetration, growth of organic materials and deposition of pollutants (salts) due to the impact of climate factors are analysed. Surface recession or cracking in masonry walls of the vertical envelope of buildings and the risk of their increase due to the impact of climate factors are evaluated. In the following, methods for the systematization of the analysis of the main anomalies of the vertical envelope of buildings and their causes are discussed. A general definition of the basic methodology for the systematization of the analysis of the risk of climate factors and anomalies in masonry walls of the vertical envelope of buildings and their causes is presented, aiming at the development of studies on the sustainability of buildings. Next, the systematization of climate factors with an impact on buildings is discussed as well as the systematization of the characteristics of masonry elements and of anomalies/causes in the building’s vertical envelope. Then, the prevention of the increase of cracking and moisture presence due to the impact of climate factors is discussed. Finally, important issues related to the quality of construction and management of the impact of environmental risks due to climate change in unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls for minimizing their economic costs are presented.