VOIDS AND CAVITIES

When a soil is formed by soluble rock or loose parts, fluids and water in motion are likely to create voids and cavities even large one. For example acid rain, after entering the soil, becomes more acidic because it collects CO2. This water when placed in contact with calcareous rocks can cause serious damage to the structures and the phenomenon is known as karst. The same happens to soil composed of calcium carbonate and magnesium, or magnesium sulphate. Large cavities in the soil pose two major problems of soil engineering. The first is about the environment due to the possible pollution of groundwater and the second is about the bearing capacity of the foundation structures of buildings.

Collapse Sinkholes

As used here, the term sinkhole refers exclusively to one type of closed depressions in karst landscapes. One type of sinkhole is the collapse sinkhole, so named because it forms suddenly when the land surface collapses into underground voids, or cavities. Collapse sinkholes are often fairly circular with steeply sloping sides. They can be so small as to be barely noticeable to 50 meters or more in width and depth. Once formed, they can also grow larger.