Mr. Raymond Lazuk June 28, 2017
<br /> Climax Molybdenum Company, Climax Mine 4 1661214 006 RSP RevO
<br /> A single integration of the measured acceleration history provides the velocity curve, with the displacement
<br /> computed by double integrating the velocity.As can be seen in Figure 1,the ground moves in both a positive
<br /> and negative direction during the earthquake. The maximum displacement, measured approximately
<br /> 5 seconds after the start of shaking was +8.3 inches. The final displacement at the cessation of shaking
<br /> was approximately-3 inches.
<br /> In general, the resistance to sliding for the OSF will be lower in the downslope direction, leading to a net
<br /> downslope displacement in the event of a large seismic event. Due to the nature of the OSF foundation
<br /> materials and the high strength mine overburden itself, a liquefaction type failure or a high displacement
<br /> mobilization of the OSF materials is considered implausible.A better analogue is to consider the OSF as a
<br /> semi-rigid block,which has the potential to move over the foundation during strong ground motions caused
<br /> by large earthquakes. There may also be some settlement of overburden within the dump, but this is not
<br /> considered to be of consequence to any downgradient infrastructure (e.g., Highway 91). Under the semi-
<br /> rigid block framework,the OSF may move incrementally in the downslope direction with each local peak in
<br /> ground acceleration. However, the movement will stop (or even reverse direction) between local peaks,
<br /> and the OSF will come to a complete stop at the end of the earthquake. The OSF will not "break loose"
<br /> from the foundation and undergo rapid downslope movements in the manner of a debris flow in response
<br /> to seismic shaking.
<br /> 1.2 Pseudo-Static Approach
<br /> As previously noted, the pseudo-static analyses conservatively models seismic events as a force with
<br /> constant acceleration and direction, i.e.,an infinitely long seismic pulse.As a result,the standard of practice
<br /> for geotechnical engineers is to take only a fraction of the predicted peak ground acceleration (PGA)when
<br /> modeling seismic events using a pseudo-static analyses. A pseudo-static factor of safety of 1.0 is
<br /> considered appropriate for water retention structures,when the structures are evaluated using one-half the
<br /> PGA generated from the design earthquake (Hynes and Franklin 1984), with a strength reduction of 0.2
<br /> (i.e., use 80% of the static strength parameters) applied to materials which may generate excess pore
<br /> pressure during shaking, and to account for any potential strain softening materials. The Climax OSE
<br /> earthquake loading conditions were evaluated consistent with the Hynes and Franklin methodology(1984),
<br /> with the 20% strength reduction applied.
<br /> As defined by Hynes and Franklin (1984), if the results of a pseudo-static analysis provide a FoS>_ 1.0, any
<br /> displacement occurring during a seismic event is expected to be within the tolerance of the structure. In the
<br /> event that the pseudo-static analysis results in a FoS of less than unity, one can estimate the magnitude of
<br /> displacement using several techniques developed for seismic displacement analyses of embankments,
<br /> e.g., Newmark (1965); Marchson, et al. (2007); Makdisi and Seed (1979); finite element analysis; etc. For
<br /> an OSF where the computed FoS >_ 1.0, Golder considers generally accepted seismic induced
<br /> displacements would be on the order of 1 meter (3.3-ft). The inherent conservatism of pseudo-static
<br /> analyses and the way in which FoS of 1.0 is defined as acceptable in the literature (e.g., by Hynes and
<br /> Franklin) is the reason why acceptance of pseudo-static stability results is typically defined as a FoS>_1.0.
<br /> The fundamental goal of defining a minimum FoS is, essentially, to define the amount of risk or
<br /> conservatism that is appropriate for a given facility, under a specific potential failure mode. In static stability,
<br /> higher FoS corresponds with lower risk(higher conservatism).The same is generally true for pseudo-static
<br /> evaluations, with the caveat that FoS is not the only factor that defines the risk. In addition to the FoS, it is
<br /> possible to design for different risk levels by defining different design seismic events, different allowable
<br /> displacements, or by varying the seismic coefficient. Several variations of the pseudo-static method, each
<br /> with its own recommendations regarding the seismic coefficient, are acceptable FoS, applied strengths,
<br /> etc. (see Bray 1995, Bray and Travasarou 2007, Bray and Travasarou 2009, Hynes and Franklin 1984,
<br /> Leps and Jansen 1984, Seed 1979). A FoS of 1.0 indicates acceptable levels of performance, depending
<br /> on the nuances of the method used. For seismic stability evaluations of dams, the level of conservatism for
<br /> seismic assessments is typically a function of the level of hazard(high, moderate,or low),seismic response,
<br /> and reoccurrence interval selected.
<br /> - G,,older},,
<br /> 1661214 006 RSP RevO Responses to DRMS Comments 28JUN17 docx oc><r ates
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