Laserfiche WebLink
depth of 3 feet was set. Slip surfaces less than 3 feet below the ground surface were assumed <br /> to be a maintenance issue but if not addressed, could lead to progressive slope failures. <br /> Material Properties <br /> A geotechnical investigation of the highwall and channel foundation soils has not been <br /> performed. For the stability analysis the bedrock highwall was considered to be a high strength <br /> material that would not impact stability of the channel and the geometry of the highwall was <br /> based on available topographic mapping prior to reclamation. Calibration modeling was <br /> performed to develop material properties of the channel foundation soils (reclaim fill) based on <br /> the assumption that the current reclaim fill has been placed at a factor of safety on the order of <br /> 1.0. Because of the unknown material properties, engineering judgement was applied in <br /> addition to the calibration model results to arrive at the following model parameters for the <br /> reclaim fill that was identified in the field as a low plasticity gravelly clay. <br /> Table 1. Material Strength Parameters <br /> I Material Name I Unit Weight I Effective Friction Effective <br /> • - on <br /> Bedrock 130 N/A(1) N/A(1) <br /> Reclaim Fill 125 35 E Iq 25 <br /> 'Bedrock modeled as"High Strength" <br /> Assumptions <br /> The following assumptions were made for the slope stability analysis: <br /> • The mined highwall was assumed to be stable and is not part of the stability analyses <br /> except for the geometry provided by Holcim. <br /> • Reclaim fill above the diversion channel will be removed so that no loading from uphill fill <br /> is exerted on the diversion channel foundation soils. <br /> • The veneer of riprap in the channel was not included for modeling purposes. <br /> • Groundwater was assumed to be below the depth of influence and not infiltrating the fill <br /> soils from the highwall. The channel will be lined with an impermeable geosynthetic <br /> resulting in no infiltration from the diversion channel. <br /> • No guidance is available from DRMS for temporary construction factor of safety and <br /> therefore it is assumed that the same minimum factor of safety of 1.3 can be applied for <br /> temporary construction conditions. Holcim or the contractor responsible for construction <br /> will be responsible for equipment and personnel safety during construction. This may <br /> require a long reach excavator or other specialized equipment to keep loads away from <br /> the exterior slope and reduce vibrations. <br /> Slope Stability Analysis Results <br /> Stability modeling was performed to design a slope that meets or exceeds a factor of safety of <br /> 1.3. Stability model results for cross-sections at Stations 1+00, 2+00, 10+00, 11+00, and 14+00 <br /> hdrinc.com 1670 Broadway, Suite 3400, Denver, CO 80202 <br /> (303)764-1520 <br />