A large development of several thousand new homes is being built next to an existing town in southern England. The project is expected to take several years to complete. During the original site investigation, boreholes suggested a uniform geology with Chalk (limestone) rock at depth, overlain by clay and then sand. Based on this, the site was classified after Eurocode as Category 1 (low risk). Three years into the project, a collapse sinkhole occurs in the first area of housing to have been built and occupied. The sinkhole has damaged a road called Quarry Close but, fortunately, no houses or the nearby primary school have yet shown signs of subsidence. Road access to several houses and the school is now impossible. A number of broken pipes are visible in the sides of the hole. Several cracks have developed in the area around the sinkhole. An engineer working nearby quickly assesses the site and sends the sketch plan and cross-section provided in Figure A1 below to a company that specialises in sinkholes for advice. a. Discuss what factors may have caused a sinkhole to occur at the site and suggest what immediate action should be taken. b. The development company is concerned that the original site investigation was not conducted properly and there is a risk of more sinkholes in the next area where houses will be built. Discuss how the risk can be properly assessed and what long term solutions might be possible.
A large development of several thousand new homes is being built next to an existing town in southern England. The project is expected to take several years to complete. During the original site investigation, boreholes suggested a uniform geology with Chalk (limestone) rock at depth, overlain by clay and then sand. Based on this, the site was classified after Eurocode as Category 1 (low risk). Three years into the project, a collapse sinkhole occurs in the first area of housing to have been built and occupied. The sinkhole has damaged a road called Quarry Close but, fortunately, no houses or the nearby primary school have yet shown signs of subsidence. Road access to several houses and the school is now impossible. A number of broken pipes are visible in the sides of the hole. Several cracks have developed in the area around the sinkhole. An engineer working nearby quickly assesses the site and sends the sketch plan and cross-section provided in Figure A1 below to a company that specialises in sinkholes for advice. a. Discuss what factors may have caused a sinkhole to occur at the site and suggest what immediate action should be taken. b. The development company is concerned that the original site investigation was not conducted properly and there is a risk of more sinkholes in the next area where houses will be built. Discuss how the risk can be properly assessed and what long term solutions might be possible.
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
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