Risk analysis methodology applied to earthen fortifications. The Torre de Rijana: A case study

Abstract

The state of conservation of the remains of defensive earthen architectural heritage is often compromised by a variety of natural or man-made hazards that, if sustained over time, can aggravate these sites´ deterioration until the consequences become irreversible. This has led to the creation of management tools which, using the defensive earthen architecture of the southeast Iberian Peninsula as their reference and adopting the guidelines set out in the various National Plans, contribute to a more thorough study with regards to its preventive conservation. The study presents findings from the development of an innovative risk assessment protocol founded on sustainability criteria and which is designed to facilitate decisions on protection, conservation and appraisal by the corresponding administration and agencies involved in protecting these sites. The model is logical and operational, sufficient to determine the real risk to these structures, and integrates information regarding their vulnerability and hazardous conditions at the sites where they are located. The determination of risk is made via an assessment of the different, aggregated risk factors present in a specific geographical area. This methodology is applied in the Torre de Rijana case study, which examines a watchtower located on the Granada province coast in Spain and which is protected by Spanish Historical Heritage legislation, with the highest available generic award, as a consequence of its significant heritage value. The protocol allows for a multidisciplinary analysis of its heritage characteristics, an analysis of the risk factors, assesses to what extent it is vulnerable to them, takes into account the area where it is located, as well as its derived state of conservation. It also allows for the creation of preventive measures Action Maps from specific Risk Maps, whilst simultaneously establishes how to prioritise actions, thus promoting sustainable conservation with minimum economic investment and creating an efficient maintenance programme. © 2020, University of Cantabria - Building Technology R&D Group. All rights reserved.