Theory 065/Mining & Minerals
Tailings Fail at a Water Line
The claim
Tailings dam failure is set by the ratio of phreatic surface height to crest height rather than by dam height.
01The mechanism
Static liquefaction risk rises when the water table approaches the crest, reducing effective stress in the impoundment.
02Predictions
- P1Failure should track the ratio.
- P2Taller dams with deep water tables should be safer.
03Refutation
Failure tracking dam height would remove the water table term.