Mine closure -- disturbance- damage to adjacent structures

[soils212]

We are working on a mine closure for a small sand and gravel operation. The client has to submit a letter / report from engineer stating that the work will not affect adjacent structures. The work consists of removing a soil berm that was placed around the mined area. It was the overburden from the mine area (shallow sand and gravel pit. It will be picked up with scrapers and placed in the mined area. The closest house is 50 feet away with the majority being 70 feet or more. The berms are above grade/ no below grade excavating will be required for this work. While we are not concerned with the work to be performed we were wondering if there is a general guideline for safe distances from structures with earth moving equipment. Or accepted practices for work near houses. we understand that the soils type will affect the possible vibrations that may be felt.

thanks for any input.

 

[oldestguy]

I'd check local state laws in this regard. I recall a few case where an owner on his side of a property line could do what ever was needed and if the adjacent owner was expecting risk, he has to do what it takes to protect his property, to a point, depending on the work depth. I'd guess simple berms might fall into the case of "protect yourself" Mr..

 

[EireChch]

As you are not excavating and removing support etc to adjacent foundations / sites, I dont see the problem. Vibrations from construction could possibly be a concern but operating excavators, loaders etc 50ft from an adjacent property is not a concern. You're not doing any piling, blasting etc that could cause vibrations....

A cross section showing the mine levels, berm level set backts etc would get you better answers.

 

[Mad Mike]

As EireChch notes, the vibrations associated with conventional earth-moving equipment will not cause damage at a distance of 50ft.

However, I imagine a brief visual assessment of the adjacent structures (supported by photos/videos) would be required, in addition to a brief letter from the engineer stating that peak particle velocities associated with the plant being operated will be less than the threshold for damage to structures, at a distance of 50feet (or whatever the closest distance will be).

Ensuring the above will protect you as a contractor, as the neighbours will otherwise crawl out of the woodwork to claim damage that was not of your making...you would then have to set up monitoring stations to prove otherwise.

All the best,
Mike

 

[PEinc]

Vibrations don't need to cause damage for an expensive problem to arise. It may not matter if the equipment will not CAUSE vibrations. What matters is if the owners THINK the vibrations caused damage and file a claim. Even if no damages were done, it will cost a lot of money to prove it. I recommend that no berm removal be started without someone performing preconstruction and post construction surveys of the structures and also perform vibration monitoring next to the structures.

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com