Impact of environmental parameters on moisture damage in plastered heritage buildings: A case study of Anchang historical town, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China

Abstract

Anchang historical town, a historic Jiangnan water town in Shaoxing city, Zhejiang province, China, is home to well-preserved heritage buildings dating back to the Northern Song dynasty (960 - 1127). Despite preservation efforts, environmental factors, such as high humidity, heavy rainfall, and prolonged sunlight exposure continue to cause material degradation. Addressing the deterioration challenges requires comprehensive analysis and diagnosis to identify root causes and ensure the sustainable restoration of these cultural relics. To investigate the deterioration of historical buildings in Anchang historical town, the research team employed instrument-based detection, software simulations, data integration, and other methods. Two cultural heritage buildings were selected as case studies: the former site of the Bank of China at Wangjiaqiao (BCW building) and the residence of He Gongsheng at Siqiao (HGS building). In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted at both macro- and micro-levels, utilizing building models and incorporating environmental parameters. Macroenvironmental factors, such as regional temperature, sunlight, climate, humidity, and soil type were examined. Simultaneously, microenvironmental data, including wall materials, wall temperature, wall humidity, and sunlight exposure, were collected to analyze the impact of factors such as site selection, proximity to water bodies and vegetation, building layout and orientation, and window placement. By employing statistical analysis, inductive reasoning, and other techniques, the study identifies the mechanisms underlying wall damage and predicts future trends. Ultimately, this study aims to provide data-driven insights for the development of scientifically sound preventive conservation strategies for cultural relics and buildings, thus guiding future restoration efforts.

Keywords

Heritage buildings / Deterioration assessment / Physical environment / Deterioration mechanism

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

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