Evaluation of the effects of climate indicators on ignimbrite stone used in Niğde rural architecture

Climate indicator caused by climate change pose a risk to rural architectural heritage around the world. These climate indicator are atmospheric moisture change, temperature change, wind, desertification, sea-level rise, pollution and biological effects. There is a lack of research on the impact of climate indicators on rural architectural heritage in Turkey. In this study, the impact of climate indicators on rural heritage is evaluated at the scale of traditional houses built using ignimbrite stone. The research area comprises the villages of Ovacık, Yeşilova, and Uluağaç in the central district of Niğde province. On-site observations, surveys, in-situ non-destructive tests (surface moisture measurement test and Schmidt rebound hammer), and laboratory tests (determination of physical, mechanical, freeze-thaw, and wet-dry properties) were carried out on the traditional houses. Atmospheric moisture change was found to be the biggest climate indicator threatening traditional houses due to the inability to remove moisture that penetrates the structure. The second climate indicator is temperature change, as it triggers freeze-thaw cycles. As a result, the factors that make a traditional houses built with ignimbrite stone resistant to climate indicators are the use of the building, the duration of sunshine, the frequency of wetting and drying, the type of upper cover, the density of ground and surface waters, the type of foundation, stone size, the moisture content of the stone and the strength of the building elements. In light of the results obtained in the study, adaptation suggestions for climate indicators were developed for use in rural built environments built with ignimbrite stone, where similar climatic characteristics are observed. Keywords: Climate Change, Climate Stressors, Rural Architectural Heritage, Stone Deterioration, Ignimbrite