Geotechnical Properties and Flow Behavior of Coal Refuse under Static and Impact Loading
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 7
Abstract
Fine refuse from coal processing is frequently disposed of as slurry in an impoundment supported by an embankment consisting of coarse refuse. Flow failure of coal-waste impoundments and metal-tailings dams under static and dynamic impact loading has occurred many times in the last few decades in the form embankment or dam instability or breakthrough of impounded coal-waste slurry into underground mines. Such failures can release huge amounts of flowable waste and cause severe property damage, loss of life, and significant environmental degradation. Until recently, there has been no comprehensive study reported on the properties and flow behavior of impounded coal refuse. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed on samples collected from the Appalachian coal field to measure the geotechnical properties of fine coal refuse. A comprehensive investigation was carried out on the flow behavior of impounded fine-coal-refuse slurry under static and impact loading by using a group of small-scale and centrifuge model tests. The relationships between water content and important parameters in flow behavior were established, and the flow behavior of slurry with different water contents was analyzed under static and impact loading. In addition, the employment of slurry cells as a potential countermeasure to flow failure was evaluated in centrifuge model tests.
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Acknowledgments
The work reported in the paper was funded through Grant No. S12AC20022 by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of Interior. The viewpoints expressed in the paper are that of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the funding agency.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 7 • July 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 27, 2018
Accepted: Oct 17, 2018
Published online: May 9, 2019
Published in print: Jul 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 9, 2019
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