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Sealing Old Kiln Tunnels at the
Marathon Fuel Terminal
Covington, Kentucky | |
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Sealing Old Kiln Tunnels at the Marathon Fuel Terminal
Covington, Kentucky
Marathon Petroleum Company discovered a system of old brick-lined tunnels under a portion of its fuel terminal in Covington, Kentucky. HCN used ground penetrating radar (GPR), test pits and Geoprobe™ drilling to identify the limits of the tunnels and to collect water samples for environmental testing. Our historical investigation showed that the flooded tunnel system was part of the former T.W. Spinks Brick Plant built in 1906, and that it was laid out coincident with the brick kiln.
The tunnel system was discovered inadvertently by a contractor. However, the  Terminal Manager was concerned about ground stability and hydraulic integrity of the containment dikes. Because of the presence of water and smaller lateral tunnels that were subsequently discovered, HCN recommended the use of controlled density fill (CDF or "flowable fill"). HCN personnel supervised excavation of the tunnel system to ensure each section of the tunnel was as clean as practical before the CDF was placed. HCN also mapped the tunnel system as it was filled to provide an accurate record of the remediation process. |
