Influence of water filtration rate on the functionality of the mining tailings dam

By the example of one of the mining tailings dams on the Kola Peninsula the functionality of its guarding dam was investigated. For this purpose, a hydrogeomechanical 3D model was created, reflecting geometrical dimensions, geomechanical and hydraulic conditions of the dam operation. Using Plaxis 3D, calculations were made for 16 variants of increase of the coefficient of transverse filtration of water through the dam body. The dependences of soil displacements and volumes of filtered water on the degree of decrease of filtration stability of the dam were determined. The obtained results make it possible to determine graphically or arithmetically the predicted values of displacements and volumes of filtered water on the basis of the filtration coefficient measured in full-scale conditions. The applied methodical approach provides a scientific and technical basis for predicting the mechanical and filtration stability of the mine tailings dam for its specific geomechanical and hydraulic conditions.