Evaluation,repair and stabilization of the boling sinkhole

Abrupt ground subsidence occurred along FM 442, approximately 3 miles east of Boling, in Wharton County, Texas, in August 1983 The subsidence created a depression of approximately 250 feet in diameter with a maximum depth of about 25 feet. Roadway collapse, pavement breakage, and inundation of the sinkhole by subsurface waters forced the closure of FM 442 to thru-traffic The vicinity of the sinkhole is underlain, by alluvial deposits of the Colorado River drainage basin and unconsolidated Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene sediments to a depth of about 500 feet. The sediments consist largely of sand, silts, clays, and gravels. The Boling Salt Dome and its associated caprock occur directly beneath the section of unconsolidated sediments Major and minor axes of the dome are about 5 miles and 35 miles, respectively, and the sinkhole occurred approximately 1 mile east-northeast of the dome's center An investigation was conducted in the immediate area of the sinkhole to determine the cause of the subsidence and also to determine the feasibility of dewatering the sinkhole Four monitoring wells were installed around the perimeter to evaluate the potential recharge from shallow sand units Two 300-foot holes were drilled and geophysically logged to determine the stratigraphy adjacent to the sinkhole, and two slope indicators were installed in order to evaluate further earth movements A total of six million gallons of saline water were removed and disposed of from the sinkhole Based on information provided by the geologic and dewatering investigation, the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation elected to fill the existing sinkhole and reconstruct the roadway A total of 3,500 cubic yards of rock borrow and 26,000 cubic yards of soil borrow were placed in the depression Construction began in February 1984, and the roadway was completed in May A monitoring program to evaluate subsequent earth movements will continue into 1985