The Sinking Town: The Causes and Effects of Settling Around Linnéstaden

Abstract

Settling is a problem in Gothenburg causing damages on older buildings over time. Earlier research by Norin (2004) and Ljungdahl (2015) has shown that lowered groundwater levels is a main contributing factor to settling in Gothenburg. The aim of this study was to find other factors, why settling occurs at a different rate on buildings and to create a database over the damages on the façades with focus around Linnéstaden. The database is structured in an excel spreadsheet in a way so that it can be processed in GIS programs and also so calculations can be made inside excel. The methods of gathering the data was done by observing the façades in field over two weeks of this study and gave good results Data showed that slope and soil depth were the two factors behind the damages on buildings caused by settling that could be measured in this study. Out of 471 buildings observed about 68% of them showed damage on the façade due to settling around Linnéstaden. A case study of a building made in 1898 near Linnéplatsen showed that proper piling and foundation were not made but instead, the building was set on top of the clay on a slope. Today, that building is severely damaged due to settling making piling and foundation an interesting parameter for further studies. The role of filling material in settling was also an interest of discussion and further studies of this is suggested.