Improvement of Stability of Slopes of Tailing Dams and Ash Ponds

Yogesh Sharma

Abstract Stability Depends on following parameters

• The geometry of the dam (e.g. the relationship between slope angle and beach width)
Stability of tailing dams and ash ponds is of great concern these days as the disposal of tailing
• Dam construction performance
and ash is time dependent and it should be done in such a way that it does not affects
• The pore water pressures (hydraulic gradient)
the environment. So with time, size of tailing dams and ash ponds  has to be increased.
• Material properties (hydraulic conductivity, friction angle, cohesion and density etc.)
Due to increase in size, stability become a main concern for this there is a need to improve • Stress conditions
the long time stability of tailing dams and ash ponds with proper real time monitoring to • Rapid changes in water levels
avoid failure.
Improvement
1. Compacted gravel drains can be installed below the proposed embankment to reduce
the possibility of soil liquefaction during earthquake, and to accelerate the consolidation
Introduction settlement with a target to improve the strength characteristics of the underlying soil.

Tailing dam is the part of the embankment influencing the total stability of the dam or where 2. Simple dewatering technique aids in the ground improvement

the construction material has been placed in a controlled manner, including for example 3. Flattening of slopes to reduce the shear stress
Figure 3. Causes of Tailing Dam Failure 4. Dewatering and drainage to reduce the seepage conditions and exit gradient
cycloned or mechanically compacted tailings.
5. Vertical drains for accelerated consolidation and improved bearing characteristics

This area will be affected by the position of the pond, as the location of the pond directly 6. Gabion walls for toe protection against failure and excess stress

affects the hydraulic gradient, which in turn affects the stability. The boundary of the dam will 7. Artificial reinforcing materials within the soil

in these cases change over time due to design and method of construction 8. Erosion can be reduced by physical cover such as gravel, soil or synthetic material covers
using chemical stabilizers such as lignin sulfonate or PMA and phytostablization by
introducing particular plants.
9. Adding biopolymers such as Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum
10. Tree plantation and rehabilitation

Conclusions
Figure 4. Tailing Dam Failure
Failing of tailing dams and ash ponds results into lots of environment problems such as
Figure 1. Downstream Tailings Dam contamination of soils, soil sediments, water , air ,acid mine drainage, inundation problems to
regional community . Existing tailing dam and ash ponds stability is not up to mark as it can
be seen by number of failure .So improvement in stability of tailing dams and ash ponds is
done which are mentioned to improve the bearing properties of the soil or prevent a soil
mass from stability failure. The industries need to come forth to accept such challenging
innovations apart from just flattening of slopes, which is a common and successful age-old
practice.
Figure 2. Upstream Tailings Dam Figure 5. Centerline Tailings Dam

References
1. Saikia, P. (2012) “Slope Stability Analysis of Geofabric Reinforced Ash Dyke: Development of GeoStudio Tutorial for Slope/W” Summer Training Report, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India.
2. Dey, A., Prashant, A. and Basudhar, P. K. (2009) “Design of Ash Dyke and Divider Bund for Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project (4×250 MW), NTPC Ltd. Bongaigaon (Assam)” Submitted to NTPC, Bongaigaon
3. Sarat K. Das, Mahasakti Mahamaya , Ipsita Panda, Kajal Swain (2015) “Stabilization of Pond Ash using Biopolymer” Department of Civil Engineering, NIT , Rourkela
4. Annika Bjelkevik “Stability of Tailings Dams” Thisis , Luleå University of Technology Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Division of Geotechnology
5. Basudhar, P. K. and Chandra, S. (2004) “Design report for raising ash bund section at Wanakbori thermal power station, Wanakbori” Submitted to Chief Engineer (C & O), GEB, WTPS, Wanakbori.
6. Basudhar, P. K. and Chandra, S. (2004) “Modified design of existing ash bund section at Satpura thermal power station, Sarni” Submitted to S. E. (Civil) C & M-II, STPS, MPSEB, Sarni.