Assessing liquefaction of sandy soil: missing gaps (with Imperial Oil)

Oil sands tailings, a mixture of clay, sand, water and residual oil, is a by-product from the oil sands mining and extraction process in Alberta, Canada. This mixture is hydraulically transported and stored in engineered structures built with coarse sands separated from the oil sands tailings. The dimensions of these structures depend on the storage capacity retaining oil sands tailings. The structural integrity of these structures is governed by the strength of the coarse sands or their liquefaction potential. This research investigates the deformation and strength (liquefaction potential) characteristics of the coarse materials. The findings will be valuable in design, analysis, construction, and monitoring of these structures in a safe, cost effective, and environmentally sustainable manner. The partner organization as well as other oil sands operators will gain benefits from this research project.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ron Wong;Qi Zhou

Student:

Partner:

Imperial Oil Limited (AB)

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

University of Calgary

Program: