Explosive Induced Pore Pressure in a Sandfill Dam
Charlie WA, Lewis WA, Doehring DO
(Received 13 December 1998; accepted 27 April 2001)

Abstract
This paper reports on the potential performance of earthfill and tailings dams, and other saturated earthen structures, subjected to blast vibrations. Relationships between explosive-induced residual pore pressure increase and crest settlement versus peak particle velocity are presented. Eight explosive tests, conducted on a 2.25-m-high dam constructed of loose dilative sand, showed that significant increases in residual pore pressure (PPR > 0.1) occurred when peak particle velocity exceeded 0.015 m/s at shallow depths to 0.035 m/s at greater depths. Limited crest settlement occurred when the peak particle velocity exceeded 0.025 m/s. Results of this research, previous research, and the field behavior of full-scale earthfill and tailings dams indicate that peak particle velocity below 0.025 m/s and 0.10 m/s are reasonable thresholds to limit pore pressure buildup in full-size earthfill and tailings dams sensitive and not sensitive to vibrations, respectively.

Keywords:
blasting, Dam Safety, dams, explosives, liquefaction, particle velocity, pore pressure, pore pressure ratio, sand, soil dynamics

Paper ID: GTJ2440391

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Author Charlie WA, Lewis WA, Doehring DO Title Explosive Induced Pore Pressure in a Sandfill Dam Symposium , Committee on