10
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
This research studied the seepage of water through soil and
slope failures. A test apparatus was designed to contain soil,
which allowed for water to seep through to simulate several
conditions. This study made use of a dye and UV flashlight
to study the seepage front in soil. Additionally, slope behav-
ior was observed when pore pressure was increased to induce
failure. This chapter provides a summary of the results of
the study and the conclusion made. Recommendations are
then given for further studies.
5.2 Conclusions
Seepage and slope stability are major issues facing the min-
ing industry. Tailings dam failure in recent years has been
on the increase, which makes it very important to study the
movement of water through soil.
In this study, transparent plexiglass was used to help
monitor the seepage front easily and detect slope failure.
Other materials, such as wood and glass, were not preferred
for several reasons, including the difficulty of joining the
material.
The experimentally induced slope failure results were
created effectively in models in the Rocscience slide. The
models showed results similar to those of the experiments
conducted. These models were used to study the seepage
front of water through soil and simulate slope failures using
conditions similar to those in the lab.
These models were used to find the safety factor for
each scenario by comparing it to the slope at failure. It was
found that the slope failed when the water level was about
96% of the slope height. These are due to the soil being
fully saturated and the shear stress at the toe being almost
zero. Further studies should be performed to determine the
contribution of soil type and friction angle on these failures.
The study of the seepage front concluded that hydraulic
gradient and potential energy determine water flow through
(e) Seepage front at 50 minutes
(f) Seepage front of all stages
Fully
saturated soil
Figure 14. Transient seepages of all stages (continued)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Experiment
1
Experiment
2
Experiment
3
Slope Height(mm) Water Level at failure (mm)
Figure 15. Comparison of slope height to water level at
failure
Leve(
)
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
This research studied the seepage of water through soil and
slope failures. A test apparatus was designed to contain soil,
which allowed for water to seep through to simulate several
conditions. This study made use of a dye and UV flashlight
to study the seepage front in soil. Additionally, slope behav-
ior was observed when pore pressure was increased to induce
failure. This chapter provides a summary of the results of
the study and the conclusion made. Recommendations are
then given for further studies.
5.2 Conclusions
Seepage and slope stability are major issues facing the min-
ing industry. Tailings dam failure in recent years has been
on the increase, which makes it very important to study the
movement of water through soil.
In this study, transparent plexiglass was used to help
monitor the seepage front easily and detect slope failure.
Other materials, such as wood and glass, were not preferred
for several reasons, including the difficulty of joining the
material.
The experimentally induced slope failure results were
created effectively in models in the Rocscience slide. The
models showed results similar to those of the experiments
conducted. These models were used to study the seepage
front of water through soil and simulate slope failures using
conditions similar to those in the lab.
These models were used to find the safety factor for
each scenario by comparing it to the slope at failure. It was
found that the slope failed when the water level was about
96% of the slope height. These are due to the soil being
fully saturated and the shear stress at the toe being almost
zero. Further studies should be performed to determine the
contribution of soil type and friction angle on these failures.
The study of the seepage front concluded that hydraulic
gradient and potential energy determine water flow through
(e) Seepage front at 50 minutes
(f) Seepage front of all stages
Fully
saturated soil
Figure 14. Transient seepages of all stages (continued)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Experiment
1
Experiment
2
Experiment
3
Slope Height(mm) Water Level at failure (mm)
Figure 15. Comparison of slope height to water level at
failure
Leve(
)