A Climate–Geomechanics Interface for Adaptive and Resilient Geostructures

Geostructures, such as foundations, embankments, retaining structures, bridge abutments, and both natural and engineered slopes, interact with the ground to ensure structural safety and functionality. One significant factor influencing these systems is climate, which continuously affects soil conditions through dynamic processes. Over the past century, climate change has intensified, increasing uncertainties regarding the safety of both existing and planned geostructures. While the impacts of climate change on geostructures are evident, effective methods to address them remain uncertain. This paper presents an approach for mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts through a stepwise geomechanical analysis and geotechnical design framework that incorporates expected climatic conditions. A novel framework is introduced that systematically integrates projected climate scenarios into geomechanical modeling, enabling climate-resilient design of geostructures. The concept establishes an interface between climate effects and geomechanical data, capturing the causal chain of climate hazards, their effects, and potential consequences. The proposed interface provides a practical tool for integrating climate considerations into geotechnical design, supporting adaptive and resilient infrastructure planning. The approach is demonstrated across different geostructure types, with a detailed slope stability analysis illustrating its implementation. Results show that the interface, reflecting processes such as water infiltration, soil hydraulic conductivity, and groundwater flow, is often critical to slope stability outcomes. Furthermore, slope stability can often be maintained through simple, timely implemented nature-based solutions (NbS), whereas delayed actions typically require more complex and costly interventions.