ABSTRACT
Although adobe is a material widely used in traditional Spanish architecture, over the last century it has been progressively replaced by industrialized construction materials. At present, limited information on this technique contrasts with the abundant surviving heritage, progressively abandoned, demolished, or repaired using unsuitable techniques which threaten its survival. The current lack of understanding of adobe architecture becomes even more obvious when assessing its structural behavior. In response to this situation, this article aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms of structural decay affecting this type of construction, determining the way in which these are manifested and establishing an initial classification approach to facilitate their identification.
