Climate change is moving underground – and causing cities to sink
Heat emitted by infrastructure such as transport systems, tunnels and basements is causing the ground beneath cities to move.
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Heat emitted by infrastructure such as transport systems, tunnels and basements is causing the ground beneath cities to move.
Heat can cause the ground to swell and building foundations to slowly sink, particularly in the Loop, but that hot air can be captured and turned into energy.
The earth beneath our major cities is heating up, morphing in ways that could damage buildings, bridges, and transport systems.
According to the researchers' computer simulations, warmer temperatures can cause the ground to contract beneath the weight of a building.
A groundbreaking study conducted by Northwestern University has revealed a concerning link between climate change and the shifting earth beneath urban areas. The research demonstrates that as the ground temperature rises, it undergoes deformation, resulting in increased ground movement and cracking due to expansions and contractions. These phenomena pose long-term risks to the durability and operational performance of structures.