Evaluation of Permeability in Quarry Operated below Stream Level

In this study, the permeability problem that may occur in a quarry planned as an open-pit operation under the Melet Stream (Ordu) flow level has been evaluated by numerical analysis method. The quarry, the subject of the study area, is planned to be operated at approximately 65 m from the Melet Streambed and below the water flow level (27 m). The quarry, which previously operated in the upper elevations of the Melet Stream, consists of the dacitic rock mass. The engineering properties of the rock mass were determined by the scan line survey studies on the slopes opened in the quarry, and it was determined that the rock mass was moderately permeable with the help of empirical equations using the parameters obtained. To determine the water discharges that may occur from the bottom and side surfaces of the quarry, which is thought to be operated below the Melet Stream flow level, finite element-based Seepage analysis was carried out in the RS2 computer program. Considering the water discharge values in these areas, it has been determined that the water discharges to occur at the base of the operation site (zero elevation) and the sidewall is respectively 2.33*10-12 m3/day (at the bottom), 6.12*10-12 m3/day (the sidewall of the quarry). The water discharges in the quarry area at these depths are very close to zero, and there is a distance of approximately 65 m between the quarry area and Melet Stream. In addition, the quarry means that no risk of flooding will occur during the quarry operation.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Finite element method, Permeability, Seepage analysis, Quarry

In this study, the permeability problem that may occur in a quarry planned as an open-pit operation under the Melet Stream (Ordu) flow level has been evaluated by numerical analysis method. The quarry, the subject of the study area, is planned to be operated at approximately 65 m from the Melet Streambed and below the water flow level (27 m). The quarry, which previously operated in the upper elevations of the Melet Stream, consists of the dacitic rock mass. The engineering properties of the rock mass were determined by the scan line survey studies on the slopes opened in the quarry, and it was determined that the rock mass was moderately permeable with the help of empirical equations using the parameters obtained. To determine the water discharges that may occur from the bottom and side surfaces of the quarry, which is thought to be operated below the Melet Stream flow level, finite element-based Seepage analysis was carried out in the RS2 computer program. Considering the water discharge values in these areas, it has been determined that the water discharges to occur at the base of the operation site (zero elevation) and the sidewall is respectively 2.33*10-12 m3/day (at the bottom), 6.12*10-12 m3/day (the sidewall of the quarry). The water discharges in the quarry area at these depths are very close to zero, and there is a distance of approximately 65 m between the quarry area and Melet Stream. In addition, the quarry means that no risk of flooding will occur during the quarry operation.

Keywords: Finite element method, Permeability, Seepage analysis, Quarry

Alemdağ, S., Sarı, M. & Çavuşoğlu, İ. (2021). Evaluation of Permeability in Quarry Operated below Stream Level. Journal of Current Research on Engineering, Science and Technology, 7 (2), 209-218.