Evaluation Method of Geological Conditions Suitable for the Development and Utilization of Underground Space in Northern Coastal Bedrock Cities of China

We selected Jinpu New Area, Dalian as a typical northern bedrock coastal region of China in which to establish a method to evaluate the suitability of geological conditions for underground space development. The geological conditions in Jinpu New Area were studied systematically and five categories of 17 evaluation indices selected. A method of evaluating the suitability of the geological conditions for the development of underground space was established based on an analytical hierarchy process and a multi-objective linear weighting function model. We evaluated the suitability of the shallow (0–15 m), sub-deep (15–30 m) and deep (30–50 m) underground spaces in Jinpu New Area for development. The area with the poor and worst suitability for the development of shallow underground space was 275.2 km2, accounting for 16.1% of the total area. The areas of the sub-deep and deep subsurface areas with poor and worst suitability were 218.85 and 214.82 km2, respectively, accounting for 12.8 and 12.56% of the total area. Goaf, karst and the presence of water aquifers were the main geological problems. This study provides a guide for the evaluation of the geological suitability of the underground space in northern bedrock coastal cities for development and utilization.