<br />
<br />Characteristics
<br />
<br />Collapsing o!Ind settlIng salls have considerable strength .hen
<br />dry and generally are not a problem to structures and
<br />Improlloments. l'lhen they become ..et. they are subject to
<br />rapid col lapse and can be reduced in volume as much as 10 to
<br />15 percent. Surt"ce ground dlsplecement of several feet can
<br />result. Similar processes frequently affect old landfills or
<br />poorly placed earth fills.
<br />
<br />Consequences
<br />
<br />The large ground displacements caused by COllapSing salls eM
<br />totally destroy roads and structures and alter surface
<br />drainage. Minor c,.ecklng and distress may result as the
<br />Improvements respond to sm,,11 adjustments In the ground
<br />benellth them.
<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<br />rlydrocompllctlon of sol Is clIused by a ruptured ..ater line In
<br />Bou I der County.
<br />
<br />42
<br />
<br />Aggravating Circumstances
<br />
<br />
<br />:.lan's activities are definitely the ClIuse of most solis
<br />collapsIng. These activItIes Include ..."tarlng gr"ss and
<br />shrubs, tailing to repaIr lel!lklng water JInes In utilIty
<br />trenches. Impounding "ater. blocking draInages by hlgh""YS,
<br />[ooding excessive "eight upon collapsIble salls, and any
<br />actIvity which increases subsurface moisture In sol Is prone
<br />to collapse.
<br />
<br />Man-made and/or man-placed materials freQuently are subject
<br />to col lapse and settlement. The tl I I log of mined out areas,
<br />natural depressIons and swamps .1th trash "nd debris 15 II
<br />commOn practIce. Eventually the site Is put to another use.
<br />Decomposition .and compaction at landfill dumps also can
<br />result In generation of 8KplOSivQ methane and poisonous
<br />hydrogen sulfIde gases, as wel I as pollution of subsurface
<br />water with carbolic acid or other chemicals, These problems,
<br />In addition to settlln~, occur despite compactIon during the
<br />landfl It operation,
<br />
<br />Damage to str uctures erected on I and f I Its I s common I f proper
<br />construction methods are not used to counteract settt Ing and
<br />other problems. Dangerous methane can seep Into basements and
<br />crawl spaces and explode, demolIshing the structure.
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<br />These sol Is In Garfield County col lapsed from wetting.
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