Temperature Distribution in Waste Rock Piles in Permafrost Regions

• Main Author: Klassen, Renata Alicja
• Other Authors: Wilson, Gordon (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Sego, Dave (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Rajaratnam, Raj (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Hendry, Michael (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Alberta. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 2014
• Subjects: geo; envir; permafrost
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10402/era.38225

Specialization: Geotechnical Engineering Degree: Master of Science Abstract: The GeoStudio 2007 convection module a finite element program was used to examine convection in porous embankments and waste rock piles and compared to literature numerical and experimental examples by Goering and Kumar (1996) and Goering (2000) and field data from Diavik waste rock test piles. Modeling results were found to be similar and repeatable in the spring and summer but vary and not be repeatable during the fall and winter when convection dominates. Chaotic sinking of air during convection was observed. Comparison to the two literature examples showed good agreement when the boundaries were closed but not as good when the sideslopes were open. The modeled data do not compare well to the measured data at Diavik although cooling trends were reproduced. Wind forcing of air movement in the test piles prevents modeled data to be compared with measured data.