Cadia TSF Failure Assessment Considering Triggering and Posttriggering Mechanisms
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 4
Abstract
Numerous recent failures of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) (e.g., the 2019 Brumadinho failure in Brazil, the 2018 Cadia failure in Australia) have occurred in the last decade, providing important case histories and lessons to improve the design of TSF facilities. This study is focused on the Cadia TSF failure; specifically, we reexamine and expand the triggering analyses conducted in the forensic study after the failure. In addition, this study also presents the first comprehensive posttriggering and runout assessment of the Cadia failure. The triggering mechanisms were evaluated through Lagrangian-based analyses with the finite-difference method (FDM), which is well suited for small to moderate deformations, whereas the posttriggering mechanisms and runout were evaluated using the material point method (MPM), which is well suited for the evaluation of large deformations. The FDM-based analyses show that the interaction between a relatively weak layer in the foundation [Forest Reef Volcanic Unit A (FRV-A)], the deposited tailings, and the construction of a buttress system is critical in explaining the failure triggering. The MPM-based assessments are useful in investigating posttriggering mechanisms, suggesting a retrogressive failure and stress redistribution occurring within the mine tailings. In addition, the MPM-based assessments also explore the influence of key factors on the posttriggering mechanisms and runout. These factors include the tailings liquefaction extent and strength, the failure propagation rate, the strength of the foundation materials, and the buttress construction. The analyses suggest that the foundation strength, mine tailings liquefaction extent, and buttressing affect the runout assessments significantly. In this context, MPM proves to be especially useful in investigating postfailure conditions.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Tailings and Industrial Waste Engineering Center (TAILENG) and supplemented by funds from Virginia Tech and the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. CMMI 2145092. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this study are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. We also thank the Itasca Consulting Group for providing access to the FLAC software through the Itasca Educational Partnership (IEP) program and the Anura3D community for providing access to the Anura3D software.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 4 • April 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 6, 2023
Accepted: Aug 31, 2023
Published online: Jan 29, 2024
Published in print: Apr 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jun 29, 2024
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