ABSTRACT In this research, a methodology for the service life prediction of external timber claddings is proposed and discussed. The proposed model is based on the visual assessment of 110 timber claddings, subjected to real exposure conditions. The claddings under analysis belong to 80 buildings, with and without heritage characteristics, located in Valdivia and Niebla, South Chile. Timber claddings are a relevant symbol of the local identity of this region, portraying a complexity of ideas and cultural values, inherited by Spanish and German colonizations. The main anomalies that can occur in these claddings are translated into a numerical index, which describes the overall degradation condition of a timber façade. This work also discusses the influence of the local climate and environmental exposure conditions, considering biotic factors (fungi, insects, moulds, algae and bacteria) and abiotic factors (water, solar radiation, amplitude of temperature, physical damage) in the evolution of the degradation condition of timber claddings. The scarcity of funds in Chile to maintain and preserve the constructions and its components needs a more rational approach to decision-making concerning inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation procedures. The expeditious tool proposed in this paper may help in providing the basis for rational decision-making by professionals in practice.

中文翻译：

---

智利南部木材覆层使用寿命预测及环境暴露条件

摘要 在这项研究中，提出并讨论了一种用于外部木材覆层使用寿命预测的方法。建议的模型基于对 110 个木材覆层的视觉评估，在真实暴露条件下。正在分析的包层属于位于智利南部瓦尔迪维亚和涅布拉的 80 座建筑物，有或没有遗产特征。木材覆层是该地区当地身份的相关象征，描绘了西班牙和德国殖民者继承的思想和文化价值观的复杂性。这些覆层中可能发生的主要异常被转化为一个数字指数，该指数描述了木材外墙的整体退化情况。这项工作还讨论了当地气候和环境暴露条件的影响，同时考虑了生物因素（真菌、昆虫、霉菌、藻类和细菌）和非生物因素（水、太阳辐射、温度幅度、物理损坏）在木材覆层降解条件的演变中。智利用于维护和保护建筑及其组成部分的资金稀缺，需要采用更合理的方法来制定有关检查、维护和修复程序的决策。本文提出的快速工具可能有助于为专业人士在实践中的理性决策提供基础。智利用于维护和保护建筑及其组成部分的资金稀缺，需要采用更合理的方法来制定有关检查、维护和修复程序的决策。本文提出的快速工具可能有助于为专业人士在实践中的理性决策提供基础。智利用于维护和保护建筑及其组成部分的资金稀缺，需要采用更合理的方法来制定有关检查、维护和修复程序的决策。本文提出的快速工具可能有助于为专业人士在实践中的理性决策提供基础。