A Case Study: The seismic stability of a conventional upstream-raised tailings impoundment - Part 2 (analyses)

Michael James, Denise Leahy, Philip Gomes, Miguel Medina

In the proceedings of: GeoManitoba 2012: 65th Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: T3B - Mining

ABSTRACT: The evaluation of the seismic stability of an upstream-raised tailings impoundment is presented. The evaluation was conducted in the context of a Dam Safety Review (DSR) and the expected closure of the impoundment following the end of operations anticipated in 2013. Accordingly, changes in the classification of the dams due to different consequences associated with failure during or after operations and the expected increased cyclic resistance of the tailings due to consolidation and ageing were considered. The analytical and numerical methods both indicate that the seismic stability of the impoundment with respect to the earthquake design ground motions (EDGM) associated with pre-closure (existing), closure and post-closure conditions are highly dependent on the degree of consolidation and ageing of the tailings, and thus their liquefaction resistance.

RÉSUMÉ: L'évaluation de la stabilité sismique des parcs à résidus construit en amont est présentée. L'évaluation a été menée 2013. Conséquemment, des changements dans la classification des barrages ont été considérés en raison des des résidus attendue dus à la consolidation et au vieillissement. Les méthodes analytiques et numériques indiquent que la stabilité sismique du parc à résidus à l'égard des mouvements sismiques du terrain pour dimensionnement (MSTD) associées à des conditions de pré-clôture (existant), de fermeture et de post-fermeture sont fortement tributaires du degré de consolidation et du vieillissement des résidus, et donc à leur résistance à la liquéfaction.

Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2012_117

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