ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Published Online: 1 March 2012
Page Count: 11

Seismic Simulator Testing to Investigate the Cyclic Behavior of Tailings in an Instrumented Rigid Box

Pépin, Nicolas
Dept. of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,

Aubertin, Michel
Industrial NSERC Polytechnique-UQAT Chair, Environment and Mine Wastes Management, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,

James, Michael
Dept. of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,

Leclerc, Martin
Dept. of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,

(Received 9 December 2010; accepted 18 October 2011)

Abstract

Hard rock mine tailings are prone to liquefaction when subjected to the cyclic loading of earthquakes. This response may cause failure of the retaining dams and the release of liquefied tailings. To investigate the geotechnical response of tailings during cyclic loading, an experimental program was conducted using a physical model consisting of an instrumented, rigid box on a large seismic (shaking) simulator. The main objective of the tests performed on tailings was to assess, in a relative manner, their response to cyclic loads, without and with drainage or rigid inclusions (or a combination of both). As the results obtained during such tests can be significantly influenced by the experimental procedure, a rigorous methodology was followed for this experimental program. This paper presents the details of the methodology developed to conduct such tests, as well as some of the results obtained.

Keywords:
Liquefaction, seismic simulator, rigid box, instrumentation, tailings, inclusions

Paper ID: GTJ103691
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ103691
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