Weathering of Building Infrastructure and the Changing Climate: Adaptation Options

The changing climate will impact infrastructure through gradual changes in weather patterns, increasing variability and potential increases in extremes. Although most concerns have focused on changing extremes, the changes in day-to-day weathering processes may be equally important. These significant day-to-day weathering processes include wind-driven rain, freeze-thaw cycles, frost penetration, wetting and drying, wind-driven abrasive materials, the action of broad spectrum solar radiation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and atmospheric chemical deposition on materials. Adaptation options need to be developed to consider changing weathering processes, including more frequent freeze-thaw cycles in colder regions, potentially increased atmospheric chemical deposition, initially increasing UV levels and changes to precipitation regimes. Since buildings are particularly vulnerable to weathering impacts that compromise their durability and resilience to extremes over time, it will become increasingly important in future to ensure that building envelopes and enclosures are able to resist wind actions and to prevent moisture from entering the structure. Many of the required adaptation actions may take the form of different formulations for materials or different engineering practices to ensure greater durability or requirements in standards for preventative maintenance.