Modelling of Post-flotation Tailings Liquefaction Induced by Paraseismic Events

Abstract This paper presents and discusses the results of numerical modelling of pore water pressure build-up in post-flotation saturated tailings deposited at the Tailings Storage Facility “Żelazny Most”, caused by seismic-induced dynamic loading. Numerical simulations were based on the compaction/liquefaction model proposed by A. Sawicki. The model parameters were determined in the laboratory for tailings sampled at the TSF “Żelazny Most”. The sensitivity of the numerical model was verified in a series of numerical tests for various horizontal acceleration amplitudes. In the main calculations, an accelerogram recorded during a real paraseimic event was assumed. The results obtained show that, with the current seismic activity near the TSF “Żelazny Most”, some pore water pressure is generated within the saturated tailings layer, but it does not trigger the liquefaction phenomenon.