Wind-Rain Erosion of Fujian Tulou Hakka Earth Buildings

Abstract Built with weight-bearing rammed earth wall, Fujian Tulou Hakka Earth Building is capped by a wide roof to protect the wall from rainwater. Long-term effects of rain with a horizontal velocity wind, may cause surface erosion, or even serious damage to Fujian Tulou. To better understand the erosion, the weather data including wind speed, rainfall intensity and precipitation data in Yongding County (the location of Fujian Tulou) for six years (from 2012 to 2017) were collected and statistically analyzed. Wind-rain erosion was measured on Fujian Tulou by the erosion pin method. Results show Fujian Tulou erosion varies both in time and space. Tulou erosion model is proposed on the basis of Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Using rainfall erosivity factor, soil erodibility factor, wind and cover management factor, the model can be used to quantify wind-rain erosion and predict the service life of Fujian Tulou Hakka Earth Buildings. The model is essential and important for performance and durability assessment of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Fujian Tulou.