Software could help prevent building collapse in sinking cities
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 16:00
in Earth & Climate
(PhysOrg.com) -- Shanghai, the most populated city in China, is sinking at an average rate of 2-4 cm per year. Although that may not sound like much, the downward shift can cause the collapse of buildings and underground tunnels, endangering lives and costing money. Recently, the National Natural Science Foundation of China has granted funding of about ¥500,000 (about $80,000) to a Nottingham University researcher to develop a computer program to identify which buildings and other structures are moving the most and are at greatest risk of collapse.
