Author(s): Carlos H. Aparicio-Uribe; Alex De La Cruz; Jackson Tellez-Alvarez; Eduardo Martinez-Gomariz; Beniamino Russo
Linked Author(s): Beniamino Russo
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Urban underground systems are particularly vulnerable to intense rainfall events, especially access stairs, which often serve as the main entry points for surface runoff while simultaneously acting as primary evacuation routes for users. This study assesses pluvial flood hazards affecting underground access stairs in Barcelona Metropolitan Area’s metro network using the inputs provided by a detailed 1D/2D coupled model developed in the framework of the EU ICARIA project. The methodology integrates previously defined human stability criteria, based on hydraulic parameters such as water depth (H) and flow velocity (V), with high-resolution hydrodynamic simulations and rainfall scenarios representing current conditions across the Barcelona metropolitan area. The results reveal a clear increasing trend in the number of access stairs exposed to flood hazards as rainfall intensity rises.
Year: 2026