Numerical simulation of pore water pressure evolution beneath a raft foundation during a river flooding

1. Home
2. Publications
3. Online Library
4. Numerical simulation of pore water pressure evolution beneath a raft foundation during a river flooding

Publication Title
Numerical simulation of pore water pressure evolution beneath a raft foundation during a river flooding

Abstract
In the last decades, the rapid growth of population in urban areas has led to construction of buildings with several basement levels. Usually, many of these new structures are built below the water table and/or on floodplains. Under such conditions, if a river flooding occurs, seepage flow can mobilize pore water pressure in the soil. Therefore, upward pressures (called buoyant forces) acting on the raft foundation could be developed. Thus, the understanding of this behaviour is a key aspect for safety of such buildings. In this work, a numerical model is employed to assess the variation of pore water pressure beneath a raft foundation as a result of river flooding. The finite difference code FLAC2D is used, simulating a real flood in Pamplona (Spain) due to a fluvial overflow of the Arga River. Results suggest that numerical models can be employed to simulate the mobilized pore water pressure beneath a raft foundation caused by river flooding. In addition, despite being transitory, such natural hazard events can be critical for safety of buildings with basements. Results also show the relevance of the soil properties on the evolution of pore water pressure mobilized beneath raft foundations.
Authors
E. P. Graterol; J. G. Gutierrez-Ch; L. Mediero; Salvador Senent

Published In

18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)

Theme

A - New developments on structural design

Download PDF