Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations SSS148 on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

sinkholes and the right foundation system retrofit

Status
Not open for further replies.

bigmig

Structural
Aug 8, 2008
401
So what type of foundation would you build in a "small" sinkhole condition....or better yet (the house is already built), what kind of retrofit foundation have others used in the past?

The geotech found a small sinkhole on the end of the property, but the house has started settling in another area. Based on the soils report consolidation tests is appears to be more than collapsing soil.

How do you fix something like this? Grout? Micropiles? I realize the 1st step is to get more info from a geotech boring, and we have that on the schedule, but I want to know upfront if this may be a deadend solution based on others experience.

This is the 1st sinkhole I have seen in 11 years and the only thing I have heard about them is stay away.

The geotech report says we have gravel, cobbles and boulders at a depth of only 7' so I am immediately discounting helical piers and push pins.

Any input would be appreciated.
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

How can you jump right to the solution without knowing the problem? You can't design any foundation for this project until you understand the source of the sinkholes and the mechanism from which they are created. A study must be performed first. We can talk solutions after your study phase.
 
Grouting is a common fix for sinkholes in central Florida. There are many homes in Tampa, where the sinkholes tend to be smaller and more surficial than in the Orlando area, which have a couple hundred yards of grout under them.
Your geotech should give you a recommendation as to the proper way to remedy the sinkhole.
Lawyers are all over this issue.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor