At what depth do sinkholes begin to pose a risk?

[learning2geotech]

Let's say I have sinkholes at 50' and I want to build lightly-loaded buildings that the loads will not be anywhere near the sinkholes. Minimal grade changes. Clayey soils over limestone bedrock. No sign of sinkhole in the neighborhood but there are reported depressions in greater nearby areas according to geology maps. What kind of risk am i looking at in this scenario?

 

[ANE91]

I just read a STRUCTURE mag article about a building designed/built over an abandoned coal mine. Anything is possible.

That said, I don’t know enough geotech to give you a good answer, but my understanding is that certain sinkholes can open up anytime. Building or no building. Overlying soil bridges over the eroding rock until it can’t. Idk how you get around that without serious moisture control or a bigboi foundation.

 

[learning2geotech]

I just read a STRUCTURE mag article about a building designed/built over an abandoned coal mine. Anything is possible.

That said, I don’t know enough geotech to give you a good answer, but my understanding is that certain sinkholes can open up anytime. Building or no building. Overlying soil bridges over the eroding rock until it can’t. Idk how you get around that without serious moisture control or a bigboi foundation.

What's the name of the article? Can you please share the link to it or upload it?

 

[ANE91]

First hit on Google…

Engineering Triumphs Above an Abandoned Coal Mine

www.structuremag.org