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Water-Pressure Boundary Formation and Anti-Flotation Safety of Underground Structures during Rapid Groundwater Rise: A Critical Review

Author(s)

Yijia Lin1, Xianyun Wang2,*, Hongtao Zhang2, Jiaqi Yu1, Hengyun Jiang1

Affiliation(s)

1Brunel London School, North China University of Technology, Beijing, China 2School of Architecture and Construction, North China University of Technology, Beijing, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Engineers commonly regard rapidly rising groundwater levels as equivalent to static buoyancy loads on underground structures. This simplified method is valid when soil hydraulic connection is sufficient and pore water pressure becomes stable. However, it fails to reflect the actual variation of pressure boundaries during transient water-level rising processes. This paper systematically reviews existing studies on groundwater-induced structural uplift, pore water pressure transfer, soil-structure interface behavior, seepage influence, structural anti-floating capacity, field monitoring technologies and drainage control strategies. Previous studies indicate that external water levels govern the overall hydraulic system, yet they cannot directly represent the real bottom pressure of structural floors. Local pressure distribution is comprehensively affected by water connectivity, soil permeability, water storage properties, interfacial pore characteristics and historical loading conditions. Moreover, structural anti-floating resistance gradually increases with cumulative structural displacement. This study proposes four core evaluation indexes for anti-floating safety: pressure amplitude, pressure boundary condition, upward resultant force and effective structural resistance. Traditional static water pressure methods, buoyancy reduction coefficients, seepage analyses and coupled contact models are not mutually exclusive, but form a hierarchical and complementary analytical system. Finally, a complete research scheme is proposed to synchronously monitor local water pressure, seepage flow, interface parameters, force balance and structural deformation. This framework reveals how controlled drainage adjusts pressure boundaries and structural mechanical responses, providing reliable mechanical support to convert groundwater monitoring data into scientific anti-uplift decisions for underground structures.

Keywords

Groundwater Level Rise; Buoyancy Resistance; Hydrostatic Pressure Boundary; Soil-Structure Interaction; Interface; Uplift Resistance; Seepage Flow

References

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