Analysis of liquefaction risk of sterile material in the inner dump of North Pesteana quarry in the conditions of flooding of the remaining gap

University of Petrosani, Faculty of Mining, Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University Street, no. 20, Romania

^* Corresponding author: izabelamaria.nyari@yahoo.com

Abstract

In the conditions of the dump slopes formed by loose rocks, predominantly sandy rocks, which are at the first saturation, there is a significant risk of sliding due to liquefaction of the waste material. The liquefaction process may be triggered by hydrological, mechanical or seismic factors. In saturated sand, the space between the solid granules is completely filled with water, and the pore water pressure, which increases as the depth increases, causes the grains to move away from each other, so the material is flowing. Among the methods for assessing the liquefaction potential of rock masses/deposits can be summarized: historical phenomena observations, studying the liquefying potential area maps, analysis of geological process that led to the creation of rock deposits and the nature of rocks. The paper aims at assessing the risk of liquefaction of sterile material in the inner dump of the North Pesteana quarry during the flooding of the remaining gap, since the preliminary studies found that the sterile material consists of important fractions of sand, indicating that there is liquefaction potential. The risk of liquefaction was determined taking into account the liquefaction potential, the nature of the objectives in the area and the probability of liquefaction.