Extension of iber for simulating non–newtonian shallow flows: mine-tailings spill propagation modelling

Abstract

Mine tailings are commonly stored in off-stream reservoirs and are usually composed of water with high concentrations of fine particles (microns). The rupture of a mine-tailings pond pro- motes, depending on the characteristics of the stored material, the fluidization and release of hyper- concentrated flows that typically behave as non–Newtonian fluids. The simulation of non–Newto- nian fluid dynamics using numerical modelling tools is based on the solution of mass and momen- tum conservation equations, particularizing the shear stress terms by means of a rheological model that accounts for the properties of the fluid. This document presents the extension of Iber, a two- dimensional hydrodynamic numerical tool, for the simulation of non–Newtonian shallow flows, especially those related to mine tailings. The performance of the numerical tool was tested through- out benchmarks and real study cases. The results agreed with the analytical and theoretical solutions in the benchmark tests; additionally, the numerical tool also revealed itself to be adequate for sim- ulating the dynamic and static phases under real conditions. The outputs of this numerical tool pro- vide valuable information, allowing researchers to assess flood hazard and risk in mine-tailings spill propagation scenarios

Postprint (published version)