Centrifugal model analysis of coal waste embankment stability. Open file report (final) Oct 77-Mar 79

Technical Report · Wed Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6002182

Townsend, F C; Goodings, D J; Schofield, A N; Al-Hussaini, M M

Centrifugal model embankments with varying geometries and materials were constructed of coal waste material, accelerated from 100 to 120 times earth's gravity, and subjected to various throughflow rates until failure occurred. Complementary laboratory tests were performed on the waste materials to obtain strength and permeability parameters for analytical calculations to predict observed centrifugal model behavior. Failures in the form of deep-seated failure, or erosion and sediment transport or a combination of both, occurred in model embankments with 1V:1-1/2H and 1V: 2H slopes when the phreatic surface due to seepage exited on the downstream slope. Positive seepage control; that, is a toe drain successfully prevented sloughing and failures. Slope stability analyses agreed conservatively well with observed model performance. Factors of safety ranged from 0.7 to 1.02 at the instant of failure for models with retrogressing slips as compared with 1.05 to 1.7 for stable embankments. These models verified existing criteria of a minimum safety factor of 1.3 and the necessity of positive seepage control.

• Research Organization: Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (USA). Geotechnical Lab.
• OSTI ID: 6002182
• Report Number(s): PB-81-194524
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
016000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
CENTRIFUGATION
COAL MINES
EMBANKMENTS
MINES
SAFETY
SEEPS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SHEAR
SLOPE STABILITY
SOLID WASTES
STABILITY
WASTES