182
12 Consequences
Fig. 12.4 Predicted tailings outflows volume ration versus impoundment area ratio (Rourke and
Luppnow 2015)
Although the correlation seems enticing, a word of caution must be formulated.
In fact, this correlation does not include any information on the surface, volume and
depth of the TSF. For example, the volume of Mount Polley was significantly larger
than all the other cases. Thus, it could be that this wonderful correlation is a “fluke”
and many more cases will have to be brought into the analysis to develop confidence.
12.2.4 Flood Hazard
Once the breach size, the rheology and the outflow volume have been estimated a
model can be built to evaluate the flooding. There are several well-known commercial
software programs that can help to carry out the numerical analyses. At the end, the
flood is described point by point in terms of water depth and velocity.
Smith et al. (2014) have formulated a depth (m)–velocity (m/s) chart making it
possible to define the flooding hazard at each point reached by the flood. This is
shown, for reference, in Fig. 12.5.
12 Consequences
Fig. 12.4 Predicted tailings outflows volume ration versus impoundment area ratio (Rourke and
Luppnow 2015)
Although the correlation seems enticing, a word of caution must be formulated.
In fact, this correlation does not include any information on the surface, volume and
depth of the TSF. For example, the volume of Mount Polley was significantly larger
than all the other cases. Thus, it could be that this wonderful correlation is a “fluke”
and many more cases will have to be brought into the analysis to develop confidence.
12.2.4 Flood Hazard
Once the breach size, the rheology and the outflow volume have been estimated a
model can be built to evaluate the flooding. There are several well-known commercial
software programs that can help to carry out the numerical analyses. At the end, the
flood is described point by point in terms of water depth and velocity.
Smith et al. (2014) have formulated a depth (m)–velocity (m/s) chart making it
possible to define the flooding hazard at each point reached by the flood. This is
shown, for reference, in Fig. 12.5.