How do you fix a sink hole this big?

[Kevy Baby]

Interesting, while the original story linked says the hole is 200 feet deep, an AP News story lists it at 100 feet. Can't somebody get out a tape measure and settle this matter?

Out of morbid curiosity, I wanted to know how many dump-truck loads of dirt it would take to fill the sink-hole. Using the measurements from the AP New link (66 feet across x 100 feet deep), I calculate that there is approximately 342,257 cubic feet of hole that needs to be filled in. The average three-axle dump truck can hold about 10 cubic yards or 270 cubic feet. So, about 1,268 trips of the dump truck would be required (not accounting for further erosion, compaction, etc.).

I was curious about how many trips the Liebherr TI 274 would require.



Since all the capacity ratings for this beast are given in terms of weight and not volume, a little conversion was required. Using 1,000 pounds as the weight of one cubic yard of top soil (highly variable due to moisture content), this would mean that the hole requires about 6,338 tons of dirt. Since the TI 274 can handle about 320 tons per load, this truck would only require about 20 loads of dirt. I think they should use one of these

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Interesting, while the original story linked says the hole is 200 feet deep, an AP News story lists it at 100 feet. Can't somebody get out a tape measure and settle this matter?

Out of morbid curiosity, I wanted to know how many dump-truck loads of dirt it would take to fill the sink-hole. Using the measurements from the AP New link (66 feet across x 100 feet deep), I calculate that there is approximately 342,257 cubic feet of hole that needs to be filled in. The average three-axle dump truck can hold about 10 cubic yards or 270 cubic feet. So, about 1,268 trips of the dump truck would be required (not accounting for further erosion, compaction, etc.).

I was curious about how many trips the Liebherr TI 274 would require.



Since all the capacity ratings for this beast are given in terms of weight and not volume, a little conversion was required. Using 1,000 pounds as the weight of one cubic yard of top soil (highly variable due to moisture content), this would mean that the hole requires about 6,338 tons of dirt. Since the TI 274 can handle about 320 tons per load, this truck would only require about 20 loads of dirt. I think they should use one of these

I think one of these, filled with dirt, would just cause another sinkhole.

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I think one of these, filled with dirt, would just cause another sinkhole.

Good point! I wouldn't want to drive it to the edge, would you?

One thing that makes me wonder about "filling in the hole" is the fact that there is no bottom. It seems to open up to a large cavern. If the hole is only but the tip of the iceberg in this void, then how in the world could they begin to repair this? Or will it just become a permanent and ever widening hole? (Which reminds me of some people I know)

[Alex]

Originally Posted by RStar

Or will it just become a permanent and ever widening hole?

You know, it really had been a long time since I last thought of goatse.cx. Thanks for bringing that to an end.

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Alex

You know, it really had been a long time since I last thought of goatse.cx. Thanks for bringing that to an end.

You are welcome!

So, now we know what you were really spending your time in college on.

And I agree, duct tape may be the answer!

[Tref]

Knowing Guatemala they'll probably just cover it up with some branches and leaves.

Fun fact: In some countries they fill sinkholes with horses!

(Pic related -- It's a horse in a hole)