Coal as backfill a bad idea?
Coal as backfill a bad idea?
(OP)
I was just wondering if anyone has had any bad experiences using coal as backfill. The situation is a cut/fill operation for a plat on a slope overlooking a valley, with a great view of Mt. Ranier, I might add. Coal is being considered for use below 4 feet, mainly for backfill below residences. Any thoughts or concerns?





RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
1. generally low strength
2. compressible
3. will degrade with time (run some slake durability tests)
4. sulfer content (what is the runnoff going to contain)
This just generally sounds like a bad idea. Also, why would someone want to use a material that has market worth for fill?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
Please see FAQ731-376 for great suggestions on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora. See FAQ158-922 for recommendations regarding the question, "How Do You Evaluate Fill Settlement Beneath Structures?"
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
I actually recieved this recommendation from 'on high', so it's out of my influence now. I was thinking originally that coal is only about a dinosaur's age away from being peat, and neither material do I associate with being 'firm and stable'. But not much I can say. It's only my second day on the project, and actually with my new company. They're using most of their fill, so no good system for exporting I can use to sneak out major volumes. I haven't seen any major layers go in yet, but I'm watching out for fragments with my nuke.
Anyway, thanks for the good input.
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
RE: Coal as backfill a bad idea?
Are there real estate disclosure laws that would reveal the risk posed by the use of coal as a fill and contribute to an uninsurable developed property?