vi
HO CHI MINH CITY FACES SUBSIDENCE RATE OF 2-5CM PER YEAR: WHAT IS THE SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURES?
According to recent scientific studies, Ho Chi Minh City is among the fastest-sinking coastal megacities in the world. This ongoing land subsidence not only poses a threat to the city's public infrastructure but also directly compromises the lifespan and safety of industrial factories, commercial buildings, and residential properties. To combat these subterranean challenges, Okasan Livic Vietnam introduces the UPCON solution—a cutting-edge technology designed for precise foundation stabilization and concrete leveling.
An Alarming Reality: HCMC is Gradually "Sinking"
A collaborative report titled “Land Subsidence in HCMC: Risks and Challenges for Sustainable Development”—conducted by the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the HCMC University of Natural Resources and Environment, and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE, France)—reveals that the city's average subsidence rate stands at 2 to 5 cm per year. Alarmingly, in areas characterized by weak geotech profiles or dense commercial high-rises, this rate accelerates to 7 to 8 cm per year.
The most critical subsidence zones are located along the Saigon River and across the Southern and Southwestern districts, including District 7, District 8, Binh Tan, Nha Be, Thao Dien, and Tan Cang.
Experts pinpoint four core driving forces behind this phenomenon:
Naturally weak alluvial soil and geological foundations.
High static loads caused by rapid urbanization (high-rises and massive building complexes).
Dynamic loads resulting from heavy traffic and developing urban railway/metro networks.
Excessive groundwater extraction combined with heavy surface concretization, preventing rainwater infiltration and creating underground cavities.
When land subsidence occurs unevenly across a single site, the structural repercussions are severe. Buildings experience cracked floor slabs, localized sinking, structural tilting, and damage to underground utility networks—ultimately disrupting operations and risking occupational safety.
UPCON – The Smart Void-Filling and Floor-Leveling Solution by Okasan Livic
As a pioneer in advanced geotechnical and civil engineering solutions, Okasan Livic Vietnam deeply understands the operational anxieties of project developers, contractors, and factory owners when faced with foundation settlement. To effectively address the soft soil and voiding challenges specific to HCMC's terrain, we are proud to offer UPCON—our proprietary, innovative foundation repair technology.
How Does the UPCON Solution Work?
The UPCON method utilizes a high-pressure injection technique where a specialized, expanding polyurethane geopolymer resin is injected underneath the sunken concrete slab through small-diameter micro-drill holes. Upon entering the subbase, the resin expands rapidly, filling underground voids, compressing loose soils, and generating a powerful upward hydraulic-like force that lifts the concrete slab back to its original design elevation with millimeter precision.
Key Advantages of the UPCON Method:
Zero Operational Downtime: Unlike traditional "demolish and re-pour" methods, UPCON is incredibly fast and non-disruptive. It requires no heavy excavation, generates minimal noise, and produces no dust. Factories, warehouses, and commercial spaces can remain fully operational during the execution.
Laser-Guided Precision: The entire lifting process is continuously monitored using advanced laser-leveling systems, ensuring that the floor slab is restored precisely to its intended datum with minimal tolerance.
Long-Term Soil Stabilization: The UPCON resin does not just lift the concrete; it densifies and compacts the surrounding weak soils, mitigating the risk of future settlement caused by building loads or fluctuating water tables.
Eco-Friendly & Durable: The material is highly durable, non-biodegradable, and resistant to chemical erosion or groundwater contamination, making it perfectly safe for the surrounding soil and water ecosystems.
Partnering for Your Sustainable Growth
Land subsidence in Ho Chi Minh City is an environmental reality that businesses must proactively manage to protect their physical assets and continuous operations. Rather than waiting for catastrophic structural failures to occur, taking preventive action through modern geotechnical engineering is a strategic, cost-effective move.
Leveraging our international engineering expertise and stringent quality standards, Okasan Livic Vietnam is fully equipped to deliver the UPCON solution to permanently rectify your foundation issues. We stand ready to help you secure structurally sound, resilient, and safe facilities capable of withstanding the complex geological challenges of modern urban environments.
Contact the expert engineering team at Okasan Livic Vietnam today for a professional, complimentary structural subsidence survey and consultation!
