Global analysis of building façade exposure to water penetration in Chile

Abstract

In this study, the exposure of building façades in Chile to wind-driven rain and driving rain wind pressure was analysed. Daily climatic data from 29 weather stations throughout Chile were used to determine these exposures in scalar terms and are presented in exposure maps. These values were used to estimate the risk index for water penetration at each location and to determine the relationships between the different exposure indices calculated from the daily, monthly, and annual data. Finally, the directional characterisations of these exposures were determined with an alternative method that was based on climatic data from the Chilean stations. This method was used to quantify the exposure of façades oriented in any direction in 6 cities that represent the country's climate: Santiago, Concepción, La Serena, Temuco, Antofagasta, and Puerto Montt. In general, the exposure of façades to water penetration progressively increases from north to south. However, this pattern is affected by the topography of each location, especially in the capital and southern regions. Valdivia, which is located in the centre, and Balmaceda, which is located in the south, showed the greatest risk of water penetration in Chilean façades.