Hayward Baker will be the geotechnical contractor for the compaction grouting. The article draws a HORRIBLE comparison between compaction grouting and the ‘top kill’ that BP tried to stop the oil leak in the gulf. Honestly, sometimes reading what the media writes about engineering is a little scary. I’m sure Hayward Baker is thrilled to have their name mixed in there with the most hated company on the planet right now! [Source: Nashville Business Journal via AGC SmartBrief]
Geologic Hazards
Huge Sinkhole over 30-stories Deep Opens in Guatemala City
Tropical Storm Agatha that hammered Guatemala over the weekend also was likely a catalyst in the final collapse of a massive 100-ft wide by at least 200-ft deep sinkhole in Guatemala City. The sinkhole swallowed […]
Failures
Massive Sinkhole in Louisiana’s Bayou Corne
A sinkhole formed at the beginning of August near a brine production operation in Bayou Corne near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The sinkhole, now referred to as a slurry hole, measures roughly 600 ft by 300 […]
Project Related
Video: The Pine Hills Sinkhole – Central Florida, 2002
On June 11, 2002, a 150-foot wide and 60-foot deep sinkhole opened up in Pine Hills, Florida and came within a few feet of two 3-story appartment buildings. Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants (GEC) was contacted by the owner of the site to design emergency temporary and permanent stabilization measures to protect the buildings. The sinkhole mitigation began with a chemical stabilization of the soil using an injected sodium silicate chemical grout (incidentally, that work was performed by John N. Puder, Inc., recently acquired by Moretrench) to stabilize the sands underneath the buildings and adjacent to the sinkhole. After some GPR surveys, borings and other investigations, final sinkhole repair consisted of a 200-foot long wall omprised of interlocked 36-inch diameter steel tubular piles that extended to a depth of 50 feet. They were driven by Giken America Corp. using the press-in method which helped to avoid damage to the adjacent buildings. The entire stabilization was completed within 1-month of the initial sinkhole collapse! Click through for this fascinating video. (Photo credit Giken America Corp. by way of GEC)