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Liquefaction of uranium tailings

Abstract

Numerical methods for assessing the liquefaction potential of soils are reviewed with a view to their application to uranium tailings. The method can be divided into two categories: total stress analysis, where changes in pore pressure are not considered in the soil model, and effective stress analysis, where changes in pore pressure are included in the soil model. Effective stress analysis is more realistic, but few computer programs exist for such analysis in two or three dimensions. A simple linearized, two-dimensional, finite element effective stress analysis which incorporates volumetric compaction due to shear motion is described and implemented. The new program is applied to the assessment of liquefaction potential of tailings in the Quirke Mine tailings area near Elliot Lake, Ontario. The results are compared with those of a total stress analysis. Both analyses indicate liquefaction would occur if a magnitude 6.0 earthquake were to occur near the area. However, the extent of liquefaction predicted by the effective stress analysis is much less than that predicted by the total stress analysis. The results of both methods are sensitive to assumed material properties and to the method used to determine the cyclic shear strength of the tailings. Further analysis, incorporating more  More>>
Publication Date:
Feb 01, 1992
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
INFO-0409
Reference Number:
SCA: 540250; 052002; PA: AIX-24:005667; SN: 93000930810
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Feb 1992
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; SETTLING PONDS; EARTHQUAKES; TAILINGS; LIQUEFACTION; STABILITY; WASTE MANAGEMENT; 540250; 052002; SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES; WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE
OSTI ID:
10118761
Research Organizations:
Atomic Energy Control Board, Ottawa, ON (Canada)
Country of Origin:
Canada
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE93611341; TRN: CA9201047005667
Availability:
OSTI; NTIS (US Sales Only); INIS
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
[70] p.
Announcement Date:
Jun 30, 2005

Citation Formats

None. Liquefaction of uranium tailings. Canada: N. p., 1992. Web.
None. Liquefaction of uranium tailings. Canada.
None. 1992. "Liquefaction of uranium tailings." Canada.
@misc{etde_10118761,
title = {Liquefaction of uranium tailings}
author = {None}
abstractNote = {Numerical methods for assessing the liquefaction potential of soils are reviewed with a view to their application to uranium tailings. The method can be divided into two categories: total stress analysis, where changes in pore pressure are not considered in the soil model, and effective stress analysis, where changes in pore pressure are included in the soil model. Effective stress analysis is more realistic, but few computer programs exist for such analysis in two or three dimensions. A simple linearized, two-dimensional, finite element effective stress analysis which incorporates volumetric compaction due to shear motion is described and implemented. The new program is applied to the assessment of liquefaction potential of tailings in the Quirke Mine tailings area near Elliot Lake, Ontario. The results are compared with those of a total stress analysis. Both analyses indicate liquefaction would occur if a magnitude 6.0 earthquake were to occur near the area. However, the extent of liquefaction predicted by the effective stress analysis is much less than that predicted by the total stress analysis. The results of both methods are sensitive to assumed material properties and to the method used to determine the cyclic shear strength of the tailings. Further analysis, incorporating more in situ and/or laboratory data, is recommended before conclusions can be made concerning the dynamic stability of these tailings.}
place = {Canada}
year = {1992}
month = {Feb}
}