EFFECT OF HEIGHT AND DOWNSTREAM SLOPE ON THE SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF TAILINGS IMPOUNDMENTS REINFORCED WITH WASTE ROCK INCLUSIONS

ABSTRACT: Many tailings storage facilities are designed with retaining dikes built using the upstream-raised construction method, commonly used due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, the stability of such type of impoundments remains a concern, as these have been prone to failure, especially in high seismicity regions. The use of waste rock inclusions (WRI) was proposed to improve the stability of tailings impoundments, particularly for those with upstream dikes. This article presents numerical analyses of the seismic behavior of tailings impoundments, considering cases reinforced with waste rock inclusions. The effects of the downstream slope and height of the impoundment on the seismic stability are investigated through a parametric study. The effect of each parameter is assessed individually using various indicators such as the critically displaced volume of tailings, and the deformation of the impoundment crest of the downstream slope. The simulations results are used to develop relationships to estimate the displacement of the slope as a function of waste rock inclusions configuration and geometry of the tailings impoundment.