Modeling Soil Moisture and Hydraulic Conductivity in Goan Iron Ore Mines with GeoStudio
摘要
Slope stability in the iron ore mining areas of Goa is a major issue especially considering the state average rainfall of 3000 mm to 2500 mm per annum. The ratio between extreme rainfall and geotechnical properties of the local soils may cause failure on slopes and pose a risk to both mining and environmental activities. In this study, the module of GeoStudio, SEEP/W, is used in simulating an unsaturated flow of the soils in a mine using the Van Genuchten (VG) model predict Volumetric Water Content (VWC) as well as hydraulic conductivity functions. The Parameters of VG models are soil specific, which allows characterization of the Soil-Water Retention Curve (SWRC) and the respective hydraulic conductivity function. By integrating the functions into SEEP/W the analysis provides the insights to into the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture as well as its dynamics, the movement of water in the unsaturated zones. This method facilitates the prediction of soil moisture by providing insights into its spatial and temporal distribution. Seepage pattern and evaluation of possible mechanisms of failure of mine slopes, playing a role in the formulation of effective dewatering and slope stabilizations strategies. The results highlight the need of including unsaturated soil mechanics and high numerical modelling techniques on the geotechnical test of the mining activities.