Coastal Heritage Conservation Methods, a Visual-Based Pathological Assessment for Historic Masonry; A case study of Fort Williams

Cephas Teyie, Han Weicheng

Finned Heat Exchanger, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Random Forest, Heat Transfer Prediction, Thermal Performance Analysis

Ghana's coastal forts and castles, including Fort Williams, suffer from severe decay due to marine exposure, rising damp, salt crystallization, biological growth, and past improper repairs. Systematic, low-cost diagnostic methods are needed for resource-limited heritage contexts. To diagnose the principal deterioration mechanisms of Fort Williams using a non-invasive visual assessment aligned with ICOMOS standards, and to propose a phased, evidence-based conservation framework. A four-phase visual protocol was applied: (1) systematic photographic survey, (2) pathology taxonomy and causal analysis, (3) intervention design guided by conservation ethics, and (4) monitoring plan. Deterioration types were recorded across all architectural spaces. The key mechanism is a self-reinforcing cycle: capillary rise, rain, and sea spray introduce moisture that dissolves salts; evaporation causes sub-florescence, generating crystallization pressure that cracks bricks and mortars, allowing more moisture ingress. Persistent dampness also supports algae, fungi, and moss, which retain further moisture. The most severe decay occurs at wall bases and in areas with poor ventilation or roof leaks. Interrupting moisture sources is the only way to break the deterioration loop. A phased intervention is proposed: (1) source control and monitoring (0-12 months), (2) desalination and biological cleaning (12-24 months), (3) lime mortar reinstatement and brick replacement (24-48 months), and (4) perpetual maintenance. Systematic visual assessment alone can produce robust conservation decisions, offering a replicable model for other coastal forts in Ghana and similar tropical environments. Future work must include laboratory salt analysis, long-term monitoring, and socio-economic integration.

Received: 25 Mar 2026, Received in revised form: 22 Apr 2026, Accepted: 26 Apr 2026, Available online: 30 Apr 2026

10.22161/ijaers.134.12