What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to analyze how the drainage system contributed to the flow failure of TSF Brunita in 1972.

January 18, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Flow Failure of TSF Brunita in 1972, SE Spain

JBJoanna Butlanska AGALDO ONEL OLIVA GONZALEZ JFJose Antonio Fernandez-Merodo

Key Points

This study aims to analyze how the drainage system contributed to the flow failure of TSF Brunita in 1972.
Conducted forensic analysis using geological, geotechnical, and hydrogeological criteria.
Developed a conceptual hydromechanical model based on findings.
Performed 2D steady-state and transient seepage analyses using GeoStudio software.
Identified critical drainage factors related to the flow failure.
Established reference conditions prior to heavy rainfall using steady state seepage analysis.
Highlighted the influence of transient conditions on seepage during rainfall.

Abstract

This paper is a part of the Conference IMWA 2025 – Time to Come held in Braga, Portugal in july 2025. This study is to analyse the influence of the drainage system on the mechanism that might have caused the flow failure of the Brunita tailings storage facility (TSF Brunita) in southeast (SE) of Spain. The TSF Brunita failed on October 20, 1972. The forensic analysis used geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological criteria to determine the causes of the flow failure. With this information the conceptual hydromechanical model was developed. The 2D stability analyses were carried out with GeoStudio software (version 2012) in two phases: (1) steady state seepage analysis to establish the reference conditions before the heavy rainfall and (2) transient seepage analysis considering the additional water from the rainfall.

KI fragen

Bookmark

View Full Paper