Geotechnical Drilling Kenwood Can You Prevent a Sinkhole With Geotechnical Drilling?
Kenwood, Georgia natives are a bit less prone to sinkholes when compared to residents further south in Florida, where the sandy soil and limestone bedrock make for geologic conditions that are more conducive to sinkhole formation. That said, it is possible to see a sinkhole form virtually anywhere in the country. So it’s natural to wonder if you can prevent a sinkhole from forming. With geotechnical drilling, Kenwood property owners can gain useful insight that can effectively be used to identify potential sinkhole sites and initiate sinkhole remediation efforts.
How Do You Find a Sinkhole With Geotechnical Drilling?
Kenwood geotechnical drilling efforts can be used to identify the location of underground voids which can ultimately collapse, resulting in the formation of a sinkhole. These underground voids form when the rock is eaten away by acidic water. In areas of the world that are more geologically active, you can see underground voids which were once lava tubes.
When drilling, the drill operator continually monitors instrumentation which provides insight into the density and the amount of resistance that the drill bit is encountering. When you hit an underground void, the instrumentation clearly indicates this because there is a lack of resistance on the drill bit. Some sinkholes are found by chance while others are found as the result of an investigation that’s initiated due to signs of an impending sinkhole. These signs can include sinking and shifting ground and damage to structures that suggests sinking, particularly on one side or corner of the structure.
The precise dimensions of the sinkhole can be confirmed using technology such as ground penetrating radar.
Once an underground void – a potential sinkhole site – is discovered, geotechnical drilling crews can utilize their equipment to help with the sinkhole remediation process.
There are a few different options when a possible sinkhole site is discovered. One option is to drill into the void and pump in a concrete filler that will harden and prevent a catastrophic collapse. This option is usually only suitable for small or medium sized voids. The amount of material required to fill in the void may make this option unrealistic for large cavity.
Another option is to reinforce the structure that’s situated atop the sinkhole, so if a collapse does occur, the building will remain standing. This option also involves drilling, as you must drill into the bedrock, inserting rods in the stone. These rods are affixed to the structure, providing stability in much of the same way stilts provide stability to a stilt home on the coast.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Amdrill Inc*
