Urbanization is a worldwide process that recently has culminated in wider use of the subsurface, determining a significant interaction between groundwater and underground infrastructures. This can result in infiltrations, corrosion, and stability issues for the subsurface elements. Numerical models are the most applied tools to manage these situations. Using MODFLOW-USG and combining the use of Wall (HFB) and DRN packages, this study aimed at simulating underground infrastructures (i.e., subway lines and public car parks) and quantifying their infiltrations. This issue has been deeply investigated to evaluate water inrush during tunnel construction, but problems also occur with regard to the operation of tunnels. The methodology has involved developing a steady-state groundwater flow model, calibrated against a maximum groundwater condition, for the western portion of Milan city (Northern Italy, Lombardy Region). Overall findings pointed out that the most impacted areas are sections of subway tunnels already identified as submerged. This spatial coherence with historical information could act both as validation of the model and a step forward, as infiltrations resulting from an interaction with the water table were quantified. The methodology allowed for the improvement of the urban conceptual model and could support the stakeholders in adopting proper measures to manage the interactions between groundwater and the underground infrastructures.

Sartirana, D., Zanotti, C., Rotiroti, M., De Amicis, M., Caschetto, M., Redaelli, A., et al. (2022). Quantifying Groundwater Infiltrations into Subway Lines and Underground Car Parks Using MODFLOW-USG. WATER, 14(24), 1-23 [10.3390/w14244130].

Quantifying Groundwater Infiltrations into Subway Lines and Underground Car Parks Using MODFLOW-USG

Sartirana, Davide
Primo
;
Zanotti, Chiara
Secondo
;
Rotiroti, Marco;De Amicis, Mattia;Caschetto, Mariachiara;Redaelli, Agnese;Fumagalli, Letizia;Bonomi, Tullia
Ultimo
2022

Abstract

Urbanization is a worldwide process that recently has culminated in wider use of the subsurface, determining a significant interaction between groundwater and underground infrastructures. This can result in infiltrations, corrosion, and stability issues for the subsurface elements. Numerical models are the most applied tools to manage these situations. Using MODFLOW-USG and combining the use of Wall (HFB) and DRN packages, this study aimed at simulating underground infrastructures (i.e., subway lines and public car parks) and quantifying their infiltrations. This issue has been deeply investigated to evaluate water inrush during tunnel construction, but problems also occur with regard to the operation of tunnels. The methodology has involved developing a steady-state groundwater flow model, calibrated against a maximum groundwater condition, for the western portion of Milan city (Northern Italy, Lombardy Region). Overall findings pointed out that the most impacted areas are sections of subway tunnels already identified as submerged. This spatial coherence with historical information could act both as validation of the model and a step forward, as infiltrations resulting from an interaction with the water table were quantified. The methodology allowed for the improvement of the urban conceptual model and could support the stakeholders in adopting proper measures to manage the interactions between groundwater and the underground infrastructures.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
3D geodatabase; horizontal flow barrier; Italy; Milan; rising groundwater levels; shallow aquifer; urban hydrogeology;
English
19-dic-2022
2022
14
24
1
23
4130
open
Sartirana, D., Zanotti, C., Rotiroti, M., De Amicis, M., Caschetto, M., Redaelli, A., et al. (2022). Quantifying Groundwater Infiltrations into Subway Lines and Underground Car Parks Using MODFLOW-USG. WATER, 14(24), 1-23 [10.3390/w14244130].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/399759
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