Numerical analysis of tailing dam with calibration based on genetic algorithm and geotechnical monitoring data

The article presents a method of calibration of material parameters of a numerical model based on a genetic algorithm, which allows to match the calculation results with measurements from the geotechnical monitoring network. This method can be used for the maintenance of objects managed by the observation method, which requires continuous monitoring and design alterations. The correctness of the calibration method has been verified on the basis of artificially generated data in order to eliminate inaccuracies related to approximations resulting from the numerical model generation. Using the example of the tailing dam model the quality of prediction of the selected measurement points was verified. Moreover, changes of factor of safety values, which is an important indicator for designing this type of construction, were analyzed. It was decided to exploit the case of dam of reservoir, which is under continuous construction, that is dam height is increasing constantly, because in this situation the use of the observation method is relevant

Numerical analysis of tailing dam with calibration based on genetic algorithm and geotechnical monitoring data

The article presents a method of calibration of material parameters of a numerical model based on a genetic algorithm, which allows to match the calculation results with measurements from the geotechnical monitoring network. This method can be used for the maintenance of objects managed by the observation method, which requires continuous monitoring and design alterations. The correctness of the calibration method has been verified on the basis of artificially generated data in order to eliminate inaccuracies related to approximations resulting from the numerical model generation. Using the example of the tailing dam model the quality of prediction of the selected measurement points was verified. Moreover, changes of factor of safety values, which is an important indicator for designing this type of construction, were analyzed. It was decided to exploit the case of dam of reservoir, which is under continuous construction, that is dam height is increasing constantly, because in this situation the use of the observation method is relevant

Displacements of shell in soil-steel bridge subjected to moving load: determination using strain gauge measurements and numerical simulation

This paper analyses displacements of a shell in a soil-steel bridge subjected to quasi-static moving loads. The considerations relate to a large span structure located in Ostróda, Poland. In particular, shell displacements during a loading cycle consisting of consecutive passages of a pair of trucks over the bridge are investigated. The results of a full-scale test, that is, the readings from a system of strain gauges arranged along the shell circumferential section, are the basis for determination of shell displacements. The proposed algorithm makes it possible to calculate any component of the displacement using just a simple model of the shell in the form of a linear elastic curvilinear beam. The approach uses real measurements, and thus, it yields results of displacements reflecting the actual mechanical behaviour of the entire composite structure including not only the shell, but also the backfill, the pavement, etc. The calculated state of displacement sets the basis for calibration of the numerical model. Finite element (FE) analyses include staged construction, that is, backfilling the shell by placing successive soil layers, as well as the loading test with the vehicles moving over the bridge. It is demonstrated that the ballasting of the shell during backfilling contributes to the improvement of the simulated behaviour of the object at the stage of operation, that is, when subjected to moving truck load. Thus, the calibration of the FE model is successfully carried out using the results of strain gauge measurements

Influence of bedding and backfill soil type on deformation of buried sewage pipeline

In the paper, the influence of different types of bedding and backfill soil surrounding underground sewage duct on its deformation was analysed. Impact of increased soil lateral pressure was examined by considering the construction of an embankment nearby the underground pipeline. Numerical computations of three different variants of bedding and backfill soil surrounding the pipe were carried out. Displacements and deformation of the pipe were calculated using the finite element method with adoption of elastic-perfectly plastic constitutive model of soil. Subsequent stages of the construction were taken into account. Shear strength reduction method was applied to evaluate the factor of safety of the entire system. Finally, the results and conclusions were depicted

A comprehensive approach to the optimization of design solutions for dry anti-flood reservoir dams

The article proposes the methodology of designing dams of dry flood control reservoirs. The algorithm is developed so as to meet all the requirements given in the Eurocode 7 and, at the same time, to be efficient in terms of necessary calculation time. Furthermore, the presented numerical procedure enables the optimization of design solutions, e.g. the depth and length of the anti-filtration barrier, by means of parametric analyses. The approach assumes the use of numerical methods, in particular, finite element (FE) analysis. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the terrain topography and subsoil layer arrangement performed in step (1) sets the base for further analyses. In step (2), the filtration phenomena are assessed based on the 3D analysis of a transient groundwater flow. In step (3), the state of displacement is evaluated and the stability is verified for all the relevant phases of construction and operation of the facility, in particular, in the course of simulated flood detention. The analyses in step (3) are carried out on 2D models corresponding to the design cross-sections of the dam. This significantly reduces the computation time (compared to 3D analysis) and, at the same time, provides a safe estimate of factor of safety. The performance of the proposed algorithm is shown on the numerical examples of the computations concerning the dam of Szalejów Górny dry anti-flood reservoir located in Poland

Safety analysis of the Żelazny Most tailings pond: qualitative evaluation of the preventive measures effectiveness

In this paper, a qualitative safety analysis of the Żelazny Most tailings pond is addressed. This object is one of the largest facilities of this type in the world being a crucial element in the technological line of copper production in KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. The assessment of the effectiveness of two types of preventive measures, i.e., relief wells and loading berms, is investigated based on displacement and stability analysis of two 2D cross-sections in a technical section of the dam. The study shows that the considered preventive measures generally have a positive impact on increasing the safety level of the structure during its further raise. In particular, their effectiveness is most evident when they are applied simultaneously. It is eventually suggested that the selection of final solutions to be applied on the facility should be based on the quantitative 3D analysis