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Deformation Modelling of an Upstream Raised Tailings Dam

Tailings and Mine Waste Conference (2023 : Vancouver, B.C.); University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

This work explores the potential of deformation assessment in assessing the performance of a tailings storage facility (TSF) during construction and operation. The studied TSF has a maximum height of 35 m from toe to crest. It was constructed in four stages, beginning with a 20 m-high starter dam, followed by three 5-m-upstream raises. Shortly after the construction of the first raise was completed, surface cracking was observed at the crest of the starter dam and downstream slope. After the cracks were detected, additional instrumentation was installed to monitor displacements and crack progression within the TSF during the operation and construction of the following three raises. To provide confirmation of the conceptual explanation for the observed cracking and deformation pattern, a series of numerical simulations were completed using a two-dimensional finite element software. Initially, a simplified model with fewer variables was developed to provide a qualitative understanding of the physical phenomenon. Later, a detailed analysis was conducted with the aim of reproducing the recorded displacements quantitatively. This paper summarizes the results of these simulations and their comparison with field observations and monitoring.

Text

2023-12-08

Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/86784

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/