Abstract
The cause of ground settlement is a significant concern in sinkhole investigations where the potential for shallow and deep-seated instability in the subsurface is a major focus of the investigation. Complicating the investigation is the occurrence of hydrocompaction of surficial soils caused by introduction of large amounts of surface water particularly from improper maintenance of rainfall runoff. This condition is usually followed by the subsequent loss of soil moisture during dry periods. This manuscript will discuss how hydrocompaction plays a role in the analysis of settlement in the investigation of sinkhole loss and how one can distinguish between hydrocompaction settlement and deep-seated settlement (note, that hydrocompaction is one of many factors that can account for settlement of structures). It will consider the effects of soil density as it impacts hydrocompaction in the investigation of building distress. Also discussed are the results of laboratory tests of simulated hydrocompaction on fine sand samples in loose and dense states. In one of the tests, the formation of a collapse sinkhole occurred at the end of the test. Photographs depicting the sequence of soil failure are attached at the end of this paper.
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/9780991000951.1004
Hydrocompaction Considerations in Sinkhole Investigations
The cause of ground settlement is a significant concern in sinkhole investigations where the potential for shallow and deep-seated instability in the subsurface is a major focus of the investigation. Complicating the investigation is the occurrence of hydrocompaction of surficial soils caused by introduction of large amounts of surface water particularly from improper maintenance of rainfall runoff. This condition is usually followed by the subsequent loss of soil moisture during dry periods. This manuscript will discuss how hydrocompaction plays a role in the analysis of settlement in the investigation of sinkhole loss and how one can distinguish between hydrocompaction settlement and deep-seated settlement (note, that hydrocompaction is one of many factors that can account for settlement of structures). It will consider the effects of soil density as it impacts hydrocompaction in the investigation of building distress. Also discussed are the results of laboratory tests of simulated hydrocompaction on fine sand samples in loose and dense states. In one of the tests, the formation of a collapse sinkhole occurred at the end of the test. Photographs depicting the sequence of soil failure are attached at the end of this paper.
