Sinkhole Investigations Tampa What Data Can You Obtain from Sinkhole Investigations?

Tampa and the entire state of Florida is home to some unique conditions; conditions that are very friendly to sinkhole formation. In fact, Florida is one of the most sinkhole prone regions on the planet due to our unique geology.

So, what causes sinkholes and how can companies such as Amdrill, Inc. help with sinkhole investigations? Tampa natives can read on to learn more!

Why is Florida So Prone to Sinkhole Formation?

The state of Florida has some unique geology that makes this peninsula prone to sinkhole formation. While many other regions of the country are situated atop a dense type of bedrock, such as granite, Florida is located atop limestone bedrock. Overlaying this limestone bedrock is very sandy soil, which can hold a lot of water and it is also highly permeable when it comes to underground water flow.

Unfortunately, limestone is prone to dissolving when it’s exposed to even mild acids, including the acid that’s found in acid rain and even in groundwater. This can result in the erosion of the limestone, which dissolves over the years to form a large underground void or air cavity. Think of it as a “bubble” in the earth. The weight of the overlaying rock and soil can ultimately cause the void to collapse, resulting in the formation of a sinkhole.

Of course, Florida also sees lots of rain, which means there’s more groundwater, a faster rate of limestone erosion and there’s also a potential for greater pressures and added weight in the land that overlays these underground voids. This can have added weight can prove to be too much, causing the earth to collapse as a sinkhole forms.

How Do You Perform Sinkhole Investigations?

Tampa natives routinely call Amdrill, Inc. for help with sinkhole investigations. An investigation may be initiated after a property owner notices changes in the terrain, such as rapidly-forming depressions or other shifts in the earth. The signs of an impending sinkhole formation are most obvious when you have a solid structure, particularly one made of inflexible materials such as masonry, cement and concrete. While wood structures have a small amount of give, these inflexible materials tend to crack and shift in response to the ground movement. So, it’s not uncommon to see cracks and other signs of damage in an area of a structure.

When a sinkhole is suspected, the property owner will typically call a sinkhole remediation and investigation team. The efforts may include the use of ground-penetrating radar, which evaluates the earth’s density, identifying the location of underground voids. Our geotechnical drilling teams can also come in to perform drilling operations, as it’s very apparent to the drill operator when the drill bit strikes an underground void because there is a sudden lack of resistance and friction.

Drilling can be used to can determine the exact depth and dimensions of the underground void. The bore holes can also be used as access points for pumping a filler material into the void, such as concrete. Once filled, the hole will no longer be prone to collapse. In cases where the void is extremely large, any overlaying structures may be reinforced with stabilization rods that can be penetrated down into the bedrock (with the help of our drilling teams.) This way, the structure will remain standing, even if the surrounding ground falls away.

*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Amdrill Inc*