Impact of impaired permeability on percolating water level and on condition of rock-fill hydrotechnical facility

The article considers the mechanisms of impaired permeability impact on the rock-fill hydrotechnical facility quality indirectly, through the influence on the position and geometry of the depression curve classically determined from the results of water measurements in piezometers. The considered mechanisms are demonstrated in terms of the dam at the tailings pond of a dressing plant at a mine in the Murmansk Region. The comparison of the depression curve obtained from the water depth measurements in piezometers and the curve from the visual and geophysical survey of the dam points at the distortion of the depression curve in the body of the test dam in the areas of impaired permeability. The curve obtained by the visual and geophysical survey offers better detailing than the classical method curve. At the same time, the geometry of the obtained curves contains strong disagreement sections due impaired permeability effects, which leads to classically unpredictable and uncontrollable changes in the depression curve, resulting in failure to meet the safety criteria and in collapse of the dam. Furthermore, the article demonstrates the effect of impaired permeability on percolating water level characterized by the depression plane during filling, restoration or reinforcement of the components of the hydrotechnical facility. For instance, after restoration of the test dam bench, with gradual consolidation and mudding of the restored bench in the zone of impaired permeability, the level of percolating water progressively increased on the upper benches. The changed water level in the piezometers located on the overlying bench exceeded the critical design values, which implied the risk of failure of the hydrotechnical facility.

Maksimov D. A. Impact of impaired permeability on percolating water level and on condition of rock-fill hydrotechnical facility . MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5—1):280—291. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_51_0_280.

Maksimov D. A., Scientific researcher, maximoffda@gmail.com, Mining Institute — Subdivision of the Federal Research Centre «Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences», Apatity, Russia.

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