Sinkhole Evaluation

Madrid Engineering specializes in sinkhole evaluation. All of Florida is underlain by limestone geologic units. The limestone is weathered by natural forces, including the pH of the rain that dissolves the calcium carbonate in the limestone. The weathering process results in voids and cavities in the limestone that can be structurally weak. The overlying materials ravel downward into the voids, creating depressions or collapse features at the surface. There are several types of sinkholes, each of which form under different soil and rock conditions.

Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. has expertise in completing subsurface investigations that can conclude whether or not damage to a structure has been caused by sinkhole activity. Our clients call on us because we have trained personnel in the areas of geotechnical engineering, geology, and soil science. We use drills and sampling equipment to extract soil samples from the ground at various depths, testing the strength and consistency of the soil to determine the conditions at a particular location.

If damages to a structure are caused by sinkhole activity, then they are usually covered by insurance. The insurance carrier requires us to not only determine if there is sinkhole activity, but also to determine a way to stabilize the structure. Our philosophy is to stabilize the foundation soil/rock if possible, which will in turn stabilize the structure. There are two main methods to stabilize a structure, compaction grouting and underpinning.