Identification of soil types and their arrangement in overburden heaps using the deconvolution approach and CPTu tests results

Abstract

The paper deals with identification of the soil types deposited in overburden heap and approximation of their arrangement in 3D heap model. The method of segmentation of the soil types based on deconvolution of results of CPTu tests performed in heap, is proposed. Two approaches distinguishing constituents of the soil either based on one or two measured parameters are presented. Employing the deconvolution technique results in identifying the most likely number of constituents, their volume fractions and probability distributions parameters. Using the obtained volume fractions, threshold values, which allow distinguishing constituents in CPTu profile based only on the value of the measurement, are determined. In the next step of analysis, the 3D model of arrangement of the soil types in heap is built. To approximate constituents' boundaries, based on data from profiles with distinguished constituents, a kriging technique is used. The obtained approximations show the arrangement of constituents in quite detailed way. After assigning the values of strength parameters to all constituents, obtained numerical models can be used to analyse stability of heap slope or/and to solve some other problems of geotechnical design, which allows for safe reclamation of the heap.