Optimization of Technological Measures Increasing the Safety of the Żelazny Most Tailings Pond Dams with the Combined Use of Monitoring Results and Advanced Computational Models

Abstract

The paper presents the approach for optimization of preventive/technological measures increasing the safety of tailings pond dams. It is based on the combined use of monitoring results as well as advanced 3D finite element (FE) modelling. Under consideration was the eastern dam of Żelazny Most Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). As part of the work, four numerical models of the dam and the subsoil, differing in the spatial arrangement of the soil layers, were created. For this purpose, the kriging technique was used. The numerical models were calibrated against the measurements from the monitoring system. In particular the readings acquired from benchmarks, piezometers and inclinometers were used. The optimization of preventive measures was performed for the model that showed the best general fit to the monitoring data. The spatial distribution and installation time of relief wells were both optimized. It was shown that the optimized system of relief wells provides the required safety margin.

Keywords: hydrotechnics, dam, kriging, FE modeling, relief wells