Stochastic analysis of tailing dams stability using numerical modelling

Tarek Hamade, Hani Mitri, Bassam Saad, Sandra Pouliot

In the proceedings of: GEO2011: 64th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Pan-American Conference on Teaching and Learning of Geotechnical Engineering

Session: Embankments and Dams

ABSTRACT: Deterministic approaches such as the limit equilibrium method (LEM) and finite element analysis have been traditionally used to evaluate the stability of tailing dams. However, the inherent uncertainty associated with the material properties necessitates the use of the probabilistic method to account for the influence of this uncertainty on the reliability of the deterministic approaches. As a result, a number of stochastic analysis techniques have been introduced in the last decade as a complementary tool to the LEM for assessing the stability performance of tailing dams. However, the LEM based studies are limited in their scope and cannot accurately assess the stability of tailing dams that is governed by the deformation-pore water pressure coupling behavior. In this paper, the use of stochastic and strength reduction technique for the assessment of the hydromechanical performance of tailing dams is introduced. The paper emphasizes the integration of the Monte Carlo Method with the elasto-plastic coupled finite difference analysis for this assessment. A set of recommendations relating to the use of the Monte Carlo method in combination with the coupled finite difference analysis for evaluating the stability performance of tailing dams are provided.

RÉSUMÉ: Les résiduspropriétés du matdurant cette dernière décennie comme pour évaluer la stabilité et limitées par leur étendue et ne peuvent évaluer la stabilité des digues de rejet miniers soumises aux déformations et une pression interstitielle est introduite pour évaluer les performances hydromécaniques des -plastique mbinaison de la stabilité des performances des digues.

Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2011_348

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