A Review of Laboratory and Numerical Methods in Subsidence Modeling: Challenges and Solutions

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Ali Asghari

hossein Sarbaz

Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22067/jwsd.v12i3.2504-1418

Abstract

Land subsidence is one of the most serious geotechnical hazards affecting urban areas and plains that experience intensive groundwater exploitation. The phenomenon is primarily triggered by groundwater‑level decline and the consequent stress redistribution within the soil profile, posing a significant threat to infrastructure. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of recent research on laboratory techniques and numerical modeling approaches used for the analysis and prediction of subsidence. Laboratory investigations, particularly physical modeling at various scales, reproduce field conditions in a controlled environment, allowing the assessment of soil behavior under different stress states and groundwater drawdown. Numerical models, implemented through finite‑element, distinct‑element, and coupled methods, are capable of simulating subsidence over large spatial extents and within complex geological settings. The synthesis of the reviewed studies demonstrates that integrating laboratory data with numerical simulations markedly improves prediction accuracy and deepens the understanding of subsidence mechanisms. Key strategies include improving the quality of input data, developing more accurate constitutive models for fine‑grained soils, employing remote‑sensing tools for model validation, and integrating intelligent, machine learning based models. These methods provide a pathway for developing more precise approaches to managing and reducing the risk of subsidence.

Keywords

Land Subsidence

Numerical Modeling

Geotechnical Testing

Groundwater Drawdown

Soil Mechanical Behavior

Geotechnical Analysis

Subjects

• Surface and Groundwater Resources

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