Avoiding Damage Caused by Soil-Structure Interaction

Increasing development in the urban environment and supporting infrastructure systems has necessitated a greater use of underground space and sites that were hitherto judges to be not economically viable (e.g. because of difficult ground conditions). This presents many challenges in terms of planning, design and construction as well as the protection of existing buildings. Understanding the complex nature of soil-structure interaction and the resulting ground movements is an integral part of assessing developments involving new construction, for example tunnels and deep excavations. There is a strong concern that any potential damage resulting from such works is minimized, particularly for historic and sensitive structures. This report provides those involved in urban planning and construction with examples of different situations and problems that can occur. This engenders an awareness of the risks involved and establishes an ability to recognize and categorize damage and so minimize it and avoid major accidents. It provides an overall summary to geotechnical and structural engineers and a general awareness to the non-specialist. Contents include: hazards and risks; prediction and categorization of damage; methods of mitigation and protective measures; and findings from an extensive database of case histories from around Europe.Kastner, Richard is the author of 'Avoiding Damage Caused by Soil-Structure Interaction', published 2004 under ISBN 9780727731241 and ISBN 0727731246.