Impact of environmental factors on the deterioration of the Wall of Cartagena de Indias

To evaluate the impact of environmental factors on the deterioration of the historical defensive walls of Cartagena de Indias, a comprehensive analysis of stone and mortars of the structure has been carried out, furthermore through a physicochemical characterization, the role of rainwater and the groundwater on the structural deterioration has been studied as well as for drains and rising damp. SO2, NO2 and PM10 were monitored in order to assess whether air quality is accelerating the deterioration of the structure. Moreover, deposited salts on the walls surface and the distribution of humidity in the structure were studied. Has been shown that limestone is the main stone type of the structure, and mortars probably due to a deficiency on the production process are weak and easily removable. Finally, humidity boundary conditions generated by drainage and rising damp, along with air salinity are the factors that determine the slow decay of the general conditions of the structure. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.