AN EVIDENTIARY FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING SITES WITH SOLUBLE ROCK

Engineering structures in areas underlain by soluble lithology is complicated in that the site characterization is often performed in an adversarial framework such as a permit or planning hearing. In these cases, the technical experts assemble data supportive of their view of site conditions without being required to compare data across a set of issues common to the problem at hand. An evidentiary framework would allow data from competing sides of the technical problem to frame their response to site evaluation questions in a parallel, if not integrated, approach.

The framework for assessing the risk of collapse in areas with unexposed soluble lithologies should include an evidence-based evaluation of site properties to determine if the project can proceed with no modification, building to karst standards, or cannot move forward as planned. The approach utilizes three key aspects of the site properties to provide a consistent framework for site evaluation that includes geologic properties, hydrogeologic properties, and site modification from new structures or land use changes. A mantled gypsum karst site in north central Oklahoma will be used to illustrate the framework and methodology.