Maintenance of Facades in Public Infrastructures in Conditions of Low Rainfall

The maintenance of façades in public infrastructures located in low-rainfall regions represents a unique engineering and design challenge. Far from being beneficial, the scarcity of precipitation accelerates material degradation due to intense solar radiation, thermal fluctuations, and the persistent accumulation of pollution and dust particles, which are not naturally washed away. This context demands a comprehensive approach that combines advanced materials, adaptive designs, and systematic maintenance plans to ensure the durability, safety, and energy efficiency of public buildings. The methodology synthesizes current knowledge through a critical review of the indexed literature and recent case studies. The properties of cutting-edge materials such as Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) are analyzed, along with resilient design strategies and non-destructive inspection protocols, assessing their suitability and performance in arid environments. The results and discussion of the findings reveal that UHPC, with a compressive strength 5-10 times greater than traditional concrete and extremely low porosity, virtually eliminates chloride penetration and thermal cycling degradation, reducing maintenance needs by up to 50% compared to conventional materials. GRC, meanwhile, emerges as a lightweight and versatile solution, with an estimated lifespan exceeding 60 years thanks to its high crack resistance. Strategically, the integration of adaptive façades that incorporate dynamic shading and natural ventilation has been shown to reduce the thermal load on buildings by 15-30%, significantly decreasing energy consumption. However, the effectiveness of these solutions depends on the implementation of rigorous and periodic inspection plans, ideally every 6-12 months under these conditions, to monitor contaminant accumulation and system performance. It is concluded that the synergy between high-performance materials, intelligent climate-adapted designs, and a proactive and predictive maintenance protocol is essential for the long-term sustainability of façades in public infrastructure in arid areas. This holistic approach not only mitigates the effects of adverse environmental conditions but also optimizes operational efficiency, ensuring the functional, aesthetic, and structural value of the built heritage.