Fortescue Metals has recently studied the applicability of the HVSR method to the assessment of mining embankment integrity.

Embankments are common features in mine sites, necessary for tailings storage, surface water management or general infrastructure such as dewatering ponds. Even though their construction methodology can largely vary, the degree of compaction is a fundamental property to be assessed during the construction and to be monitored over time.

The geometry of embankments is usually very well known, thanks to high precision topographic surveys: this allows to use the HVSR method to estimate the average shear wave velocities of different embankment parts, as shown in this report. The shear wave velocities can in turn be linked to the levees’ degree of compaction and to discriminate stable embankments from altering ones over time



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