Stability Analysis of Ancient Man-Made Underground Spaces (A Case Study of Noushabad Underground City) - Journal of Research on Archaeometry
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year 8, Issue 2 (2022)                   JRA 2022, 8(2): 35-46 | Back to browse issues page


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Khodaei M, Noorian-Bidgoli M. Stability Analysis of Ancient Man-Made Underground Spaces (A Case Study of Noushabad Underground City). JRA 2022; 8 (2) :35-46
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-324-en.html
1- Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
2- Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran , noriyan@kashanu.ac.ir
Abstract:   (822 Views)
The ancient subterranean cities are a set of interconnected spaces traditionally excavated into soil or rock, and are of cultural value thanks to their age. Studying their stability and state of preservation is thus crucial. The purpose of this research was to investigate the stability of the underground city of Noushabad, one of the world’s largest ancient cities and one of Iran’s famous tourist attractions. For this purpose, in the first stage, samples were obtained for laboratory tests to determine the type of material into which the spaces were cut, and its geotechnical characteristics and mechanical behavior. In the second stage, a finite element numerical analysis with Plaxis2D software was used to model parts of the accessible spaces at the site (three cross-sections along the main corridor) so as to enable a static analysis of stress-displacement. Finally, the safety factor was figured out. The laboratory results of this study indicated the soil in the underground city to be of an inorganic clay type with pasty properties. Also, the modeling results showed that while the increase in the cross-sectional area of the excavation caused a decrease in the safety factor and an increase in the values of stress and displacement around the excavation, due to the very low values of the displacement of the excavations (in the range of a few millimeters) and a safety factor greater than 1, based on the current state of preservation of the main corridors, the site has relatively good stability. Paying attention to the findings of this research will be an effective step in ensuring the safety of visitors to this place and the region’s sustainable development.
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Technical Note: Original Research | Subject: Conservation Science
Received: 2022/06/4 | Accepted: 2022/11/2 | Published: 2022/12/31 | ePublished: 2022/12/31

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