Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations

Over the years, multiple tailings dam failures all over the world have been primarily linked to drainage issues. Given its critical role in dam stability, this research analyzes the relationship between precipitation, reservoir levels, and geotechnical instrumentation measurements along the elevatio...

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Main Authors: Moustafa Hamze-Guilart, Lineu Azuaga Ayres da Silva, Anna Luiza Marques Ayres da Silva, Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1833
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author Moustafa Hamze-Guilart
Lineu Azuaga Ayres da Silva
Anna Luiza Marques Ayres da Silva
Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov
author_facet Moustafa Hamze-Guilart
Lineu Azuaga Ayres da Silva
Anna Luiza Marques Ayres da Silva
Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov
author_sort Moustafa Hamze-Guilart
collection DOAJ
description Over the years, multiple tailings dam failures all over the world have been primarily linked to drainage issues. Given its critical role in dam stability, this research analyzes the relationship between precipitation, reservoir levels, and geotechnical instrumentation measurements along the elevation stages of a tailings dam. To assess the influence of drainage on dam performance, its dependence on infiltration, reservoir water fluctuations, and geotechnical instrumentation responses was modeled and interpreted. By applying time series analysis methods to the instrumentation data, including autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions, this study identifies patterns in drainage efficiency and its impact on stability. The time series data were regularized and transformed into stationary forms to ensure consistency in the analysis. Autocorrelation functions and cross-correlations between different monitoring instruments were computed specifically for the second to the seventh elevation stages of the tailings dam. This study focuses on four cross-sections of the dam, analyzing their behavior to differentiate the spatial and temporal effects of drainage. The results reveal variations in drainage efficiency across these different sections and elevation stages, providing a deeper understanding of the role of drainage in maintaining stability. The proposed methodology can also be successfully applied to other tailings storage facilities, such as tailings dams built downstream or dry stacking piles, contributing to improved monitoring and risk assessment strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-d6a58e64b793435788eb4d100a4d562e2025-08-20T02:43:03ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256183310.3390/s25061833Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-CorrelationsMoustafa Hamze-Guilart0Lineu Azuaga Ayres da Silva1Anna Luiza Marques Ayres da Silva2Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov3Structures and Geotechnical Engineering Department, Universidade de São Paulo Escola Politécnica, São Paulo 05508-070, BrazilMining and Petroleum Engineering Department, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-030, BrazilMining and Petroleum Engineering Department, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-030, BrazilStructures and Geotechnical Engineering Department, Universidade de São Paulo Escola Politécnica, São Paulo 05508-070, BrazilOver the years, multiple tailings dam failures all over the world have been primarily linked to drainage issues. Given its critical role in dam stability, this research analyzes the relationship between precipitation, reservoir levels, and geotechnical instrumentation measurements along the elevation stages of a tailings dam. To assess the influence of drainage on dam performance, its dependence on infiltration, reservoir water fluctuations, and geotechnical instrumentation responses was modeled and interpreted. By applying time series analysis methods to the instrumentation data, including autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions, this study identifies patterns in drainage efficiency and its impact on stability. The time series data were regularized and transformed into stationary forms to ensure consistency in the analysis. Autocorrelation functions and cross-correlations between different monitoring instruments were computed specifically for the second to the seventh elevation stages of the tailings dam. This study focuses on four cross-sections of the dam, analyzing their behavior to differentiate the spatial and temporal effects of drainage. The results reveal variations in drainage efficiency across these different sections and elevation stages, providing a deeper understanding of the role of drainage in maintaining stability. The proposed methodology can also be successfully applied to other tailings storage facilities, such as tailings dams built downstream or dry stacking piles, contributing to improved monitoring and risk assessment strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1833tailings damsgeotechnical monitoringtime seriesautocorrelation functioncross-correlationeffect of drainage
spellingShingle Moustafa Hamze-Guilart
Lineu Azuaga Ayres da Silva
Anna Luiza Marques Ayres da Silva
Maria Eugenia Gimenez Boscov
Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations
Sensors
tailings dams
geotechnical monitoring
time series
autocorrelation function
cross-correlation
effect of drainage
title Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations
title_full Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations
title_fullStr Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations
title_full_unstemmed Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations
title_short Analyzing the Effect of Drainage on the Stability of Tailings Dams Using the Interpretation of Cross-Correlations
title_sort analyzing the effect of drainage on the stability of tailings dams using the interpretation of cross correlations
topic tailings dams
geotechnical monitoring
time series
autocorrelation function
cross-correlation
effect of drainage
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1833
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