Abstract: The subsurface condition of the first terrace of Yangtze River in Wuhan has a distinct two-layer structure. The surface water is well connected with the groundwater at areas close to the river. As a result, the buoyancy design of the structures in these areas are associated with the groundwater level, foundation embedment depth, subsurface conditions below the foundation as well as the historical groundwater levels in the area. The future maximum flood water level after the Three Gorges Project construction is critical to the buoyancy design. This paper presents the results of the buoyancy design under various groundwater levels and different foundation embedment depths.

Key words: First Terrace of Yangtze River, Areas Close to the River, Groundwater Water Levels for Buoyancy Design, Maximum Flood Level