MITIGATION FOR

SUBSIDENCE
SUBSIDENCE MITIGATION
To mitigate or corrective measures aimed
at reducing the sinkhole hazard, the idea
is to do achieve any of the following:
• Reduce the percolation of water to
avoid making the cavity larger.
• Fill the cavity such that it won’t
collapse.
• Use a different kind of foundation
such that it is anchored to more stable
ground.
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SUBSIDENCE MITIGATION
• Prevent or control water
withdrawal and the decline of
water table.
• Control irrigation to reduce the
extra ingress of water to the
ground.
• Line canals and ditches with
impervious material.

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SUBSIDENCE MITIGATION
• Efficient drainage system and
divert surface drainage.

• Prevent the inlet of water in swallow

holes and sinkholes by clogging
them, constructing annual dikes or
installing concrete plugs.

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MITIGATION OF SUBSIDENCE

5
MITIGATION
OF
SUBSIDENCE

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MITIGATION
OF
SUBSIDENCE
(1) Excavation of the sinkhole to
expose the rockhead.
(2) Lining the depression with a
filter fabric [A]
(3) Filling the depression with
boulders and layers of
graded gravels applying the
inverter filter concept [A and
B]
(4) Capping the sinkhole with a
geomembrane and a
reinforced concrete slab [C
and D]
(5) Covering the cap with a
compacted clay liner and a
geomembrane.
MITIGATION FOR
SETTLEMENT
MITIGATION FOR
SETTLEMENT

To mitigate settlement, it is
common to apply ground
improvement techniques
such that the soil becomes
stronger and can sustain a
structure without sinking.
SETTLEMENT MITIGATION
REPLACEMENT
• Soft clayey soil is excavated and replaced with
good quality sand.

PRELOADING
• The load equivalent to or exceeding the
design load is applied to the ground and left
until required consolidation of the soft ground
is attained. Both the increase of strength
and the reduction of residual settlement
are attained due to consolidation.
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TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT
MITIGATION
FREEZING
• Frozen soil have high strength and
impermeability. The ground is temporarily
frozen such that it won’t sink.

WELL POINT
• A well point is applied to lower the water
table. It is small diameter well used for
dewatering.
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CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE
METHOD
When choosing the appropriate method the
following factors are considered:
• The method is suitable for the soil type.
• The method is adequate.
• The availability of necessary material
• Availability of machines and technical
background
• Cost and time duration
• Environmental condition

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