Groundwater Problems in Urban Areas

Changing groundwater levels are causing problems in many cities and urban areas throughout the world. Over-abstraction of water for prolonged periods has caused levels to fall with ensuing foundation settlement and structural damage caused by consolidation of the underlying strata, in addition to frequent deterioration of water quality. Conversely, the decline of industry in many cities and/or the provision of better piped supplies has led to greatly reduced water abstraction. The ensuing rise in water levels has caused flooding or uplift of basements and tube tunnels, together with the differential movement of buildings constructed on a mixture of deep and shallow foundations. This book addresses these problems and provides comprehensive coverage of background information, data interpretation, details of the rising and falling groundwater levels and possible engineering solutions.