SkyGeo technical paper on InSAR-based geotechnical assessment of high-rise buildings, with a city skyline and bridge highlighting urban infrastructure risk.

Geotechnical Assessment of High-Rise Buildings in Six Steps

Technical Paper

This paper presents an iterative six-step InSAR methodology for the geotechnical assessment of high-rise buildings in Rotterdam, focusing on de Coopvaert, Zalmhaventoren, and Calypso. These skyscrapers have deep foundations on the second sand layer (-65m NAP).

 

  • Learn that a six-step iterative InSAR methodology, developed through close collaboration between InSAR and geotechnical experts, is essential for accurate geotechnical assessment of high-rise buildings in dense urban areas like Rotterdam.

  • Understand that raw InSAR data must be carefully validated, filtered, and corrected—for effects like concrete densification ("kruip") and seasonal/thermal influences—before being used for geotechnical analysis.

  • Discover that InSAR can retrospectively provide long-term, millimeter-accurate time series data on the subsidence, displacement, and tilt of high-rise buildings and their surroundings.

  • See that the construction of deep-foundation high-rise buildings, such as De Coopvaert, Zalmhaventoren, and Calypso, creates a measurable "subsidence bowl" and horizontal displacement in surrounding buildings.

  • Grasp that simplifying InSAR data into a single subsidence map without applying the full correction methodology can lead to significant misinterpretation of real geotechnical effects, with errors potentially exceeding 30-60mm over 20 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Geotechnical and structural engineers, developers and municipalities working on high-rise buildings on soft ground.

  • A six-step InSAR method for assessing high-rise buildings, using three Rotterdam towers as case studies: De Coopvaert, Zalmhaventoren and Calypso.

  • Raw InSAR data needs to be validated, filtered and corrected for effects such as concrete creep and seasonal temperature changes. Without those steps, results can be out by 30 to 60 mm over 20 years.

  • Deep-foundation towers can create a measurable subsidence bowl and sideways movement in nearby buildings, and the method captures both.