Modelling the transport of tailings after Mount Polley tailings dam failure using multisource geospatial data

Abstract

Tailings dams (TD) are usually located in valleys that are not easily accessible and hence one global digital elevation model (DEM) is used in most of the TD breach outflow modelling studies but the challenges this impose when calibrating visco-plastic rheological models has not been fully investigated. Implications of using GeoBase DEMs for model calibration is studied by comparing it with a model that is calibrated using a merged DEM generated from multiple products. The influence of rheological parameters, roughness coefficient and sediment concentration ( Cv) on simulated variables is studied. It was concluded that when GeoBase DEM was used for back analysis of the event, physically meaningful set of rheology values could not be assigned. Flow behaviour was strongly influenced by Cv and least influenced by Manning’s values. Runout distance was more sensitive to viscosity than yield stress. Mudflow depth and arrival time increased with increase in viscosity and Cv.