In message , iantheengineer
writes

Unlike rainfall we have another alternative with traffic we can
restrain the source if we choose, which along with the other tools
including where necessary road building will help the road system cope
with the traffic.

As for your example of stones deflecting well thats a new one on me.
Subsidence is due to the mines or other underground tunnel etc
gradually collapsing and what normally happens is failure of the
foudation leaving a crack visible in the supported wall either through
the blocks or the mortar joints whichever is the weakest. Stone and
concrete are strong in compression but weak in tension so as you get a
force acting on one side causing compression in one face through
bending, you get tensiile forces on the other face which normally
resulst in cracking and subsequent failure. I daresay that stone will
deflect to a degree but this would be unmeasurable to the naked eye.


Very interesting (yawn) what has this to do with railways?
--
Clive