Guidelines for sinkhole and subsidence rehabilitation based on generic geological models of a dolomite environment on the East Rand, South Africa

• Characterization of sinkholes and subsidence environments in terms of depth to dolomite bedrock.
• Overview of generally successful rehabilitation techniques for the South Africa karst environment.
• Depiction of the geological models relating to the typical karst conditions in which different sinkholes develop.
• Relating the geological model to the rehabilitation approach.

A sound understanding of the various factors influencing and associated with the formation of sinkholes or subsidences on dolomite land is essential for the selection of appropriate rehabilitation methods. The investigation and rehabilitation of numerous sinkholes and subsidences located on dolomite in the East Rand of South Africa, created an opportunity to develop a broad based understanding of different karst environments, their susceptibility to sinkhole and subsidence formation and best practice rehabilitation methods. This paper is based on the guidelines developed whereby the geological model of the sinkhole or subsidence is used to recommend an appropriate rehabilitation method. Nine typical geological models with recommended rehabilitation methods are presented in this paper.