District-scale numerical analysis of settlements related to groundwater lowering in variable soil conditions

This study presents a novel framework in which numerical modelling contributes to the performance of district-scale, subsidence-induced damage assessment cities where ground settlements affect entire quarters. Therein, implementation expeditious procedures offers geotechnical engineers possibility contributing beyond typical site scale. For this purpose, several “typified” hydro-geomechanical-loading (HGL) models, represent (simplified) scenarios masonry buildings undergoing settlements, were set up account for different predisposing or triggering factors (i.e., soil heterogeneity, loading conditions, and groundwater variations) settlement occurrence built-up areas. These models exploit multi-source, wide-area input datasets encompassing hydro-mechanical properties geomaterials, situ investigations measurements (e.g., levels wells), innovative remote sensing data DInSAR techniques). With reference district Rotterdam City (the Netherlands), was built on “soft soils”, simulations (i) provide an overview comparative role (ii) allow assessments expected induced over 30 years with exploitation fragility curves. Considering widespread diffusion such geohazards, proposed approach could help prioritise (rather expensive) maintenance work heritage within sustainable strategies subsidence risk mitigation.