Erosion anisotropy analysis of construction materials as a key tool for strengthening preventive conservation strategies in built heritage

In this paper, we present an innovative Erosion Anisotropy Analysis as a pioneering tool to discern the most harmful hydrometerological agents and their predominant directions of impact on built heritage. The proposed Erosion Anisotropy Analysis includes: 1) the analysis of weathering, bio-weathering and erosion processes affecting the building materials; 2) analysis of climatic series identifying preferential directionality of hydrometeorological agents; 3) erosion quantification using photogrammetric models; and 4) comparative analysis between both erosion and climatic anisotropy models. The proposed analysis is applied to the Cerrillos Tower (Almería, Spain), which is considered a paradigmatic case study due to their location and exposure conditions. Results determinate the primary vulnerability directions against hydrometeorological agents (N200–330°E) and highlight solar radiation, wind and wind-driven rain as the most damaging factors. Moreover, the Erosion Anisotropy Analysis describes the erosion patterns developed as well as their anisotropic distribution in the Tower. The proposed methodology is a benchmark for designing and dimensioning effective preventive measures to mitigate their impact under current climatic conditions as well as to prevent future scenarios within the global framework of climate change. • On-site tests, laboratory analysis and photogrammetric models are combined. • Weathering, bio-weathering and erosion are explained from environmental factors. • Environmental anisotropy model combines rain, wind and solar radiation data. • Proposed tool is applied to a 16th century tower in an arid coastal environment. • Erosion Anisotropy Analysis provides results for preventive conservation proposals.