Sinkhole collapse propagation studies through instrumented small-scale physical models

Abstract

Sinkholes are common geohazards, frequently responsible for sudden catastrophic ground collapse. Thus, effective monitoring would allow for further understanding of the mechanism of occurrence of sinkholes and lead to the development of a potential early warning system to provide an alarm or a warning of incipient col-lapse. In the current study, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) were used to instrument reduced scale models, simulating a sinkhole event. The tests were conducted by embedding optic fiber sensors in the soil and inducing failure until critical conditions were reached. FBG sensors were manufactured in a single optic fiber cable. The measurements of small horizontal strains were recorded simultaneously and in various positions. Failure mechanism was found to relate to the backfill density, and compaction.