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The Effects of Tailing Dam Profiles on Relative Wind Erosion Rates
Author(s) -
Coffey P. S.,
Scott W. D.,
Summers K. J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1986.00472425001500020016x
Subject(s) - tailings , aeolian processes , wind speed , environmental science , erosion , wind tunnel , shear velocity , tailings dam , shear stress , wind shear , geology , geotechnical engineering , hydrology (agriculture) , meteorology , engineering , mechanics , geomorphology , geography , materials science , turbulence , oceanography , physics , aerospace engineering , metallurgy
Erosion from mine treatment and associated residue areas can pose a significant environmental problem for surrounding locations from dust and other transported materials. The shape of such residue areas can influence windfield behaviour by causing significant wind speed increases. Residue areas are often unprotected so that increasing the speed of wind passing over these areas will cause extra erosion. Values of wind speed‐up predicted by an empirical model for wind flow over hills of low slope were compared with measured values over approach slopes to tailings dam. Hunt's model used in this study relates wind speed from a point on the hill to that observed if there was no hill. Measured values are in agreement with those predicted by the model. Shear stress values calculated from the wind flow model are then used to determine the friction velocity which, in turn, predict the relative rates of erosion. This prediction is based on the cubic relation between the friction velocity and erosion rate observed by Bagnold. These calculations are repeated for the various possible hill shapes allowed by the plant layout and the need to integrate long term spoil heaps with existing topography. A strategy for minimizing erosion of mine tailings through shape selection can then form part of the environmental considerations associated with tailings dams.