01472673

Component

This paper presents the results of a study using a transparent soil experimental technique and numerical modeling to detect 3D deformations due to submerged cavities that lead to sinkholes. Excessive deformations from underground activity beneath highway pavements could lead to sinkhole collapse. The formation of a sinkhole is often sudden and can lead to extensive damage and loss of life, especially in urban areas. The use of transparent soils permitted visualization of internal ground deformations which allows for comprehensive evaluation of the extension of failure. A series of finite element analyses have also been carried out for the tests conditions. The observed sinkhole, at the surface, is found to be a small indicator of the final size and magnitude of the internal deformations as a subsequent funnel-shaped depression with a hole that develops at the center. The modeling results emphasize the need to extend the repairer zone following sinkhole collapse by a minimum distance equal twice the cavity diameter away and ahead of the developed hole. Results of this study are believed to be of practical interest for predicting surface and internal ground deformations following sinkhole collapse which could be useful for stability assessment of underground utilities and development of a restoration plan after collapse occurred. The results also provide approximate bounds to areas affected by the sinkhole allowing for collapse risk to be assessed.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFS50 Modeling for the Design, Construction, and Management of Geosystems.

01470560

13-0108

English

13p

2013

Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Photos; References

Collapse; Deformation; Mathematical models; Sinkholes; Soil mechanics

Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2013 Paper #13-0108

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:11PM