WUFI 2D: wall in a ground depression – boundary conditions for surface water

All about WUFI 2D
Post Reply
Husna
WUFI User
WUFI User
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2026 5:21 pm -1100

WUFI 2D: wall in a ground depression – boundary conditions for surface water

Post by Husna »

Hello,

Can the attached case be simulated in WUFI 2D? A 50 cm masonry wall on a concrete foundation with an interior slab. The surrounding ground has risen by approx. 100-150 cm, so the wall now stands in a pit (Example 1: section sketch, example 2: site photo).

I want to understand which of these causes the moisture problem, or their combined effect:
1. Groundwater flowing toward the wall, foundation and slab
2. Surface runoff collecting in the pit
3. Reduced drying due to the pit microclimate (low wind, high RH, less sun)

Questions:
1. How do I model soil, foundation, wall and slab in one 2D section?
2. How do I represent each effect (groundwater, runoff, reduced drying) so I can compare them?
3. Are there example files for below-grade walls?

Best regards,
Hüsna
Attachments
example 2.jpeg
example 2.jpeg (197.12 KiB) Viewed 2379 times
example 1.png
example 1.png (379.17 KiB) Viewed 2379 times
Christian Bludau
WUFI SupportTeam IBP
WUFI SupportTeam IBP
Posts: 1312
Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:08 pm -1100
Location: IBP Holzkirchen, the home of WUFI
Contact:

Re: WUFI 2D: wall in a ground depression – boundary conditions for surface water

Post by Christian Bludau »

Dear Hüsna,

in principle, parts of this situation can be investigated with WUFI 2D, but there are some important limitations.

The wall, foundation and slab can be represented together in a 2D section, including the surrounding soil. However, WUFI 2D does not simulate groundwater flow or surface runoff as a hydraulic flow problem. These effects would therefore have to be represented by suitable boundary conditions or moisture sources.

For example:

Groundwater / permanently wet soil:
This can be approximated by defining sufficiently wet soil conditions or corresponding moisture boundary conditions. However, WUFI 2D cannot calculate groundwater flowing towards the construction.

Surface runoff collecting in the pit:
Ponding or flowing surface water cannot be calculated directly. If water contact with the wall occurs, this would have to be represented by an appropriate moisture source or boundary condition.

Reduced drying in the pit:
This can be investigated by modifying the exterior boundary conditions, for example by reducing solar radiation and wind-dependent effects and assuming an appropriate local temperature and relative humidity.

I would therefore recommend separating the mechanisms into different calculation cases rather than trying to reproduce the complete situation in a single model. This allows you to compare the influence of wet soil/water contact and the reduced drying conditions individually.

Christian
Post Reply