3D-CWC: A Method to Evaluate the Geological Suitability for Layered Development and Utilization of Urban Underground Space

Jiamin Mo, Ling Zhu, Wei Liu, Ping Wen (), Zhiqiang Xie (), Rong Li, Chunhou Ji, Wei Cheng, Yangbin Zhang, Chaoya Chen, Qijia Yang and Junxiao Wang
Additional contact information
Jiamin Mo: Institute of International River and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Ling Zhu: School of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Wei Liu: Kunming Survey and Design Research Institute, China Railway Second Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Kunming 650500, China
Ping Wen: School of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Zhiqiang Xie: School of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Rong Li: Institute of International River and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Chunhou Ji: Institute of International River and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Wei Cheng: Institute of International River and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Yangbin Zhang: Institute of International River and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Chaoya Chen: Institute of International River and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Qijia Yang: School of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Junxiao Wang: School of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-29

Abstract: Assessing the geological suitability of urban underground space development is crucial for mitigating geological risks. Traditional 2D evaluation methods fail to capture complex vertical variations in underground space, hindering precise planning. This paper presents an innovative 3D-CWC framework, combining a weighted cloud model with three-dimensional geological modeling, to address vertical complexity and uncertainty in geological assessments. The study area, located in the northern part of Kunming’s Second Ring Road, is divided into 22 million 25 m × 25 m × 1 m 3D units for evaluation. The framework uses the improved AHP and CRITIC methods to assign weights to key geological indicators, addressing both subjective and objective uncertainty, and employs a cloud model to determine geological suitability levels. The results are visualized using 3D geological modeling. The key findings include the following: (1) approximately 71% of the area within a −50 m depth range is suitable or more suitable for underground space development; (2) active fractures and groundwater are the main unfavorable factors; and (3) the geological suitability varies significantly with depth, with shallow areas being less suitable due to soft soil and complex hydrogeological conditions. The framework is further applied to assess the geological suitability of Kunming Metro Line 10, providing valuable decision support for infrastructure development. Compared to existing methods, this framework integrates cloud modeling and 3D geological modeling, offering a more comprehensive approach to handling underground space complexity. It is adaptable and holds potential for global applications, supporting urban underground space development in diverse geological conditions.

Keywords: underground space; geologic suitability evaluation; improved AHP method; combined weights; cloud model; 3D-CWC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/551/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/551/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:551-:d:1606251

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().