Numerical modeling of groundwater system with tunnel construction in an urban area of Korea: implications for land subsidence and mitigation measures.

Recently, global urbanization and industrialization have resulted in excessive groundwater exploitation, and the occurrence and damage of land subsidence to human life and property are increasing accordingly. The present study assessed the impact of tunnel excavation on the groundwater system and potential land subsidence in a Korean metropolitan area. A numerical model was established to predict groundwater level variations with tunnel excavation, and the mechanisms and cases of land subsidence worldwide were reviewed. The established model adequately represented the groundwater system in the study area. The tunnel excavation decreased the groundwater level along the tunnel line, and significant groundwater drawdown primarily occurred up to 6.1 m at locations with high permeability, leading to the temporary development of a large depression cone. The study area has favorable conditions for land subsidence, and curved tunnel excavation may induce ground disturbance, resulting in groundwater inflow and soil loss in the region. In addition, the risk of land subsidence is expected to persist owing to the lag time caused by the creep phenomenon, even though the groundwater level recovers. Efforts to effectively reduce land subsidence damage in urban areas are crucial, requiring measures such as controlling land subsidence occurrence and implementing prevention measures through early recognition, including artificial recharge of groundwater, underground cavity observation with ground penetrating radar, land subsidence observation with a borehole extensometer, and groundwater level monitoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]