Dam Breach Analysis

Dam breach analysis (DBA) provides crucial insights towards the failure impact assessment and emergency response planning for water and tailings dams at any phase of the project. These crucial insights feed into safety and risk management and Consequence Category assessment.

— Our Expertise

Our team of dam breach analysis specialists offers advanced numerical modelling of water (Newtonian fluid) and tailings (non-Newtonian fluid) release in credible dam failure scenarios while aligning with the latest industry guidelines.


With our extensive project experience in water and tailings DBA projects, we offer detailed modelling for the most complicated dam failure scenarios.

 

We offer specialist knowledge in:

  • Credible failure mode assessment
  • Hydrologic and Hydraulic modelling
  • Defining modelling input parameters based on project-specific site conditions and field investigation to obtain reliable modelling outcomes
  • In-house rheology and specialised material characterisation laboratory testing for non-Newtonian tailings flow analysis
  • Multi-phase water and tailings release Simulation
  • Cascading dam failure modelling
  • Inundation and Hazard mapping
  • Animated dynamic inundation propagation
  • Comprehensive Consequence Category Assessment
  • Quantitative risk assessment
  • Third-party technical review

— INTEGRATED LIFECYCLE CAPABILITIES

Our client offering integrates skills across a many disciplines. Industry-leading practice accommodates credible assessment outcomes and realistic emergency response planning.

Integration with aligned skills such as water management and slurry transport provides a complete service covering:

  • Water dam breach modelling incorporating dynamic storm runoff and spillway discharge
  • Catchment hydrological assessment for incremental impact assessment
  • Interpretation of in-situ geotechnical properties of the tailings storage as site-specific input for DBA
  • In-house specialised laboratory testing to define the non-Newtonian slurries flow behaviour for tailings dam breach flood routing
  • Flood mitigation assessment and protection design

— Partnership Focused

We work closely with our clients across multiple sectors and provide routine updates on the DBA throughout project phases. A working client partnership enables us to develop realistic and tangible safety management and emergency response plans.

— MORE INFORMATION

Please explore our Dam Breach Analysis Capability Page to learn more.

— Let's Talk

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— Let's Talk

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— Projects

Discover our extensive geotechnical investigation solutions for mining, resources and government projects around the world.

CLIENT
KAZ Minerals
LOCATION
Kazakhstan
Aktogay copper mine is located in the eastern region of Kazakhstan. Tailings production is 50 Mtpa which shall increase to 60 Mtpa in 2025 from two tailings plants.
Tailings Management, Water Resources
Central Asia
CLIENT
KAZ Minerals
LOCATION
Kazakhstan
Since 2009, ATC Williams has been engaged by KAZ Minerals to provide design studies and ongoing technical support during operation and construction within the tailings, civil, geotechnical, water and mechanical fields for their Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs).
Tailings Management, Water Resources
Central Asia

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