From simulation to practical guideline : the use and advantage of HAM-simulations for the conservation of heritage buildings in Havana, Cuba

Cuba, and more specifically Havana, is known throughout the world for its rich architectural heritage. The 214 ha centre of Havana, consisting of primarily housing, is inscribed as UNESCO world heritage. Nevertheless, is Cuba suffering from a major housing crisis. 70% of the built environment requires major repairs and 7% of the housing context has been declared uninhabitable. In order to tackle the degradation problem, while simultaneously protecting the historical heritage, there is an urgent need for tools and practical guidelines. These should provide insight into the approach to conserving Havana’s heritage and the risks that could entail. The reasons for this deterioration and damage include different moisture-related problems due to the hot and humid climate of Cuba: mould growth, salt efflorescence and the rotting of wooden beam heads embedded in the masonry of the façade. Heat Air Moisture (HAM) models have been found a valuable tool to assess the risk on deterioration and premature failure of building components due to moisture-related problems. This paper demonstrates the process from hygrothermal simulation to practical guideline. The study focuses on the potential of the practical applicability of simulation output from Delphin 6, to produce practical schemes using classification trees. These results will improve decision-making for building practitioners and clarify which parameters have the biggest impact on the risks of deterioration, thus providing insights into the conservation of heritage buildings of Havana, Cuba.