Geotechnical challenges for high-rise buildings in Mumbai, India.

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the development of high-rise buildings (HRBs) and related geotechnical challenges across the city of Mumbai, India. Due to this increase in demand for high-rises in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revised the minimum height for a building from 70 m to 120 m and/or the aspect ratio (height to average width) to more than 9 to simplify and expedite approvals for real estate in the city. However, it was observed that due to the existence of closely spaced structures in the city, the main problem during the construction of HRBs is interference effects. Therefore, the interference effects of a few HRBs with other adjacent structures were presented through 3D finite element analysis of HRB foundations (pile or raft foundation). Through the comparative study of numerical analysis and field tests, the safety and serviceability of the foundations were verified for all possible loading combinations.