Why Build a Cave?

There's a couple of very common questions we seem to get when speaking with people about building caves that we try and address directly in our business plan.

I think a few of the basic ones are worth addressing here as well and maybe add a little more detail.

Q: Underground? What about earthquakes?

A: This is a great question and in our investigation & research, there are a good number of studies that show being in an underground structure may actually be a *safer* place than being in an above ground structure during earth movement.

As we've found there are over 300 case studies of subterranean structures and their performance in seismic events.

In particular, the following study provided lots of excellent data on historical effects of earthquakes on underground structures as well as providing useful information about what can be done to mitigate effects of earth movement around an underground structure.

The study also makes 10 significant and relevant observations:

Seismic design and analysis of underground structures: an overview
Hashash, Youssef M A; Yao, John I-Chiang


The following general observations can be made regarding the seismic performance of underground structures:

1. Underground structures suffer appreciably less damage than surface structures.

2. Reported damage decreases with increasing overburden depth. Deep tunnels seem to be safer and less vulnerable to earthquake shaking than are shallow tunnels.

3. Underground facilities constructed in soils can be expected to suffer more damage compared to openings constructed in competent rock.

4. Lined and grouted tunnels are safer than unlined tunnels in rock. Shaking damage can be reduced by stabilizing the ground around the tunnel and by improving the contact between the lining and the surrounding ground through grouting.

5. Tunnels are more stable under a symmetric load, which improves ground-lining interaction. Improving the tunnel lining by placing thicker and stiffer sections without stabilizing surrounding poor ground may result in excess seismic forces in the lining. Backfilling with non-cyclically mobile material and rock-stabilizing measures may improve the safety and stability of shallow tunnels.

6. Damage may be related to peak ground acceleration and velocity based on the magnitude and epicentral distance of the affected earthquake.

7. Duration of strong-motion shaking during earthquakes is of utmost importance because itmay cause fatigue failure and therefore, large deformations.

8. High frequency motions may explain the local spalling of rock or concrete along planes of weakness. These frequencies, which rapidly attenuate with distance, may be expected mainly at small distances from the causative fault.

9. Ground motion may be amplified upon incidence with a tunnel if wavelengths are between one and four times the tunnel diameter.

10. Damage at and near tunnel portals may be significant due to slope instability.

We are very confident that together with our geological engineers and architects that Vino Veritas facilities will be as safe, or safer than comparable above ground structures in a seismic event.

Q: Aren't there already a lot of wine caves out there?

A: Yes there are! And in the United States, all but one of them are for commercial cellaring by wineries. That's because underground is the best place to store wine! (Not only does it save a LOT of electricity, but wineries reduce evaporation of wine by up to 20% by storing it below ground in an environment that maintains a natural amount of humidification).

However, there are no real wine caves with secure storage for personal collections of wine in the United States today.

Vino Veritas will have memberships for enthusiasts with as little as 50 bottles of wine and our facilities our being designed with luxurious aesthetics and robust security along with a literally "cool" place to enjoy and share your wines with your friends!

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We'll answer more FAQ's as we get time to, but those are two biggies to start with.