Award Engineering, Inc.

Sinkholes are natural bowl or cone shaped depressions in the ground, commonly found in karsts areas. They form when mildly acidic rainwater dissolves soluble bedrock underground such as limestone, which is commonly found in the Tampa area. There are two basic sink hole types:

1. Collapse sinks produced by collapse of the limestone roof above and underground void.
2. Solution (funnel) sinks developed slowly downward by dissolution beneath a soil mantle without rupture of the rock in which they develop.

Sinkhole Stabilization is a method often used to reduce soil erosion around sinkholes. Not only does stabilizing a sinkhole help reduce groundwater contamination, it can help prevent erosion and further collapse.
Additional benefits include being a helpful safety measurement to keep farm animals, pets or people out of the potentially dangerous hole.

SINKHOLE SIGNS

There are several signs that a sinkhole is developing beneath or around your home:

• Doors and windows that fail to open or close properly
• Cracks in walls, floors, or ceilings
• Deep cracks or separations in paved concrete walks and drives
• Previously buried foundation of the house that becomes exposed because of sinking ground
• Sinkhole activity on a neighbor’s property

SAFETY TIPS

• Keep Children Away!
• Make sure the sinkhole is fenced, roped, or taped very clearly. In some areas a local enforcement agency can help. Usually the property owner will be liable if someone is hurt in the sinkhole.
• Check carefully for signs of the sinkhole enlarging, especially toward buildings, septic tanks, drain fields, and wells (flowing water into the sinhole will continue or accelerate the growth).
• DO NOT throw any waste into the sinkhole.
• DO NOT use the sinkhole as a drainage system. Pesticides and other wastes seep easily through the sinkhole into the aquifer your drinking water.
• Call 9-1-1 if this is a life threatening emergency!
• Document as much information as possible about the time, date, location on property, estimated dimensions of the sinkhole, shape of the area and approximate depth. Remember, do not get up close to the area.
• Document the length of time it took for the sinkhole to form.
• Document in your own words all that occurred and what you actually witnessed for future reference.
• Call AWARD Engineering, Inc. at (813) 238-4393 if conditions change or the sinkhole is enlarged for 24-hr service.

INVESTIGATION PHASE

• Hand Augur
• Exploratory Excavation
• Cone Penetrometer Test
• Lab Soil Classification
• Standard Penetration Test
• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey
• Electrical Resistivity

REMEDIATION

• Underpinning
• Injection
• Compaction Grouting
• Chemical Grouting
• Deep Piling-Auger Cast/Piling

MONITORING

• Short Term And Long Term Monitoring Programs for Sinkhole Remediation and Foundation Stabilization.