Page 33 - JCAU-7-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Moisture damage in plastered heritage building

Kim et al., 2022). Moreover, by gathering and analyzing approximately 230 to 270 days annually, and the average
extensive environmental data and imagery, the team aims wind speed ranges from 1.5 to 2 m/s (Figure 3).
to uncover the mechanisms underlying the deterioration Meteorological data for Shaoxing was imported
of cultural relics and buildings (Chen et al., 2023). This into Rhino software and processed using Grasshopper
analysis not only facilitates predictions about the future components. These components were used to visualize
progression of such issues but also provides critical temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and other key data,
information for subsequent prevention and treatment creating intuitive graphical outputs. In addition, the data
measures, ensuring the sustainable preservation of cultural were uploaded to a charting webpage (dysprosium chart)
relics and buildings.
to generate a mixed chart of folded lines and columns,
2. Environment and main building providing a clear depiction of data relationships (Figure 4).
characteristics Shaoxing experiences its longest sunlight duration
in July, while January sees the shortest. The city’s relative
2.1. Physical environment information acquisition
atmospheric humidity remains consistently above 70%
Macroenvironmental factors play a key role in the throughout the year, with an annual average of 76%.
deterioration of heritage buildings, with geoclimatic Average annual precipitation is approximately 1,300 mm,
conditions being particularly significant. Precipitation concentrated mainly in spring and summer, particularly
levels and sunlight exposure affect the relative humidity during the rainy and typhoon seasons. The highest
of the surrounding environment. Variations in relative precipitation occurs in June (Table 1).
humidity and temperature directly impact the water vapor
content in the air and the dryness or wetness of heritage 2.1.2. Topography
building surfaces (Fontenele et al., 2022). For example, in The topography of Shaoxing City is diverse and complex.
humid climates, heritage buildings are more vulnerable to The city is situated at the intersection of three major
water vapor erosion, increasing the risk of moisture-related geomorphological units: the western and eastern Zhejiang
deterioration. Frequent fluctuations in humidity and hills and mountains, and the northern Zhejiang plains.
temperature can cause the materials of heritage buildings The overall terrain is higher in the south and lower in the
to expand and contract, leading to deformation and cracks. north, forming a geomorphological pattern of mountains
Therefore, collecting and analyzing data on the physical enclosing basins and concentrated plains. This terrain
environment of historic heritage buildings is crucial structure resembles a “mountain” shape (Buda et al., 2021).
for understanding and mitigating their deterioration Anchang historical town, located in the northern part of
(Ksit et al., 2022). Shaoxing city, is characterized by a relatively uniform

2.1.1. Meteorological parameters plain landscape but a complex underground structure.
This subsurface environment includes widely distributed
Shaoxing City, located in the northern subtropical layers of silt, soft soil, and hard soil, offering a diverse
monsoon climate zone, experiences a typical monsoon foundation for surface construction (Macamo et al., 2024).
climate. The region is characterized by a mild, humid, The primary soil types in Shaoxing are red, yellow‒red, and
and rainy climate with ample sunlight and four distinct yellow soils (Table 2). These soils are loose in structure,
seasons throughout the year. In spring, frequent with good water permeability and retention. They are
interactions between cold and warm air masses result generally water-retentive and acidic, with soil moisture
in large temperature fluctuations. Summers are hot and levels reaching up to 0.40 m³/m³ in summer.
humid, with concentrated rainfall during the rainy season,
usually from late June to early July, leading to increased 2.1.3. Hydrogeology
precipitation and air humidity (Gao et al., 2021; Lallam Shaoxing City is rich in rivers and lakes. Influenced by
et al., 2023). Autumns see decreased humidity due to the orientation of mountain ranges and the subtropical
the influence of cold air from the north, while winters monsoon climate, the rivers in Shaoxing are typically
are colder with reduced precipitation, influenced by abundant with water. However, water levels vary
monsoonal activity (Zybała et al., 2024). significantly across seasons, with two distinct flood seasons
According to the data from China Meteorological Data each year. The upper reaches of the rivers are characterized
Network for the period 1991 – 2020, the average annual by plentiful water resources, while the lower reaches are
temperature in Shaoxing ranges between 15°C and 17°C. often affected by tidal influences (Nikolić et al., 2024). The
Recorded extremes include a maximum of 42.5°C and a major rivers in Shaoxing include the Cao’e River, which
minimum of −10.2°C (Figure 2). The frost-free period lasts flows into the Qiantang River, the Puyang River, and the

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4606