The effect made by the interaction between rock and fibrous polymeric materials on the geotechnological processes

Abstract

Introduction. When mining by opencast, mining enterprises use dams and dikes to create circulating water settling basins. The settling basins are equipped with layer drainages carrying groundwater off and ensuring stability of structures. Fibrous polymeric materials (geotextiles) can be used as drainages serving as protective and drainage layers in the bases of heaps in the process of metals leaching from rocks. Research methodology. Geotextile drainages are calculated taking into account the uniform pressure from the overlying rock mass. Local deformation of fibrous materials caused by the force action of coarse rocks is not taken into account. Experimental studies of rock pressure on fibrous polymer materials have been carried out. The force measurement system creates the required force, the depth of the cone penetration into the fibrous material is measured using a dial indicator. The materials with a bulk density of 70, 110, 130 kg/m3 were used. Results. Analysis and discussion. The above theoretical studies allow to consider the probable cases of macrocontacts between rock and fibrous media and determine the ratio of local deformation in order to clarify fibrous media sizes and characteristics in future function as drainage and protective materials. Conclusions. Local deformations of fibrous media at the contact points may amount to 30–40% locally reducing the drainage capacity of fibrous material. Therefore, when designing structures made of rock, such as dikes, dams, leaching heaps, it is required to increase the design height of fibrous drainage by 10–30% taking into account macrocontacts with rocks.