Featured Case Studies: Liquid Containment
BAILEY MINE
West Finley, Pennsylvania
Bailey Mine, supplies bituminous coal used in the generation of electricity. At the site, coal laden sediment is pumped to settlement ponds which are typically underlain with clay. As the ponds are extended vertically to increase theircapacity, the side slopes must be lined with clay or geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) to prevent the pumped water from reentering the local aquifer.
BORDER CHECKPOINT EMBANKMENT
Zosin, Spain
Zosin – Ustiług is an international border control point for cars and buses. Being located on the eastern bor-der of Poland, it is also one of the checkpoints where foreigners enter the European Union (Schengen area) from Ukraine. Before extension this checkpoint was capable of clearing 1700 automobiles and 6 buses a day. After extension the capacity was doubled and allowed for additional admission of up to 1000 cargo vans a day.
COPLER MINE
Erzincan Province, Turkey
The Gold Mine Heap Leach project is a large, open pit gold deposit located in central Turkey. The site processes gold ore through leaching, in which a chemical solution is irrigated through heaps of ore, dissolving the precious metal. The resulting gold-infused liquid trickles down to a leach pad, where it is collected and pumped to a recovery facility.
CORDOBA HIGH SPEED RAIL
Herrera, Spain
In high speed railroad lines, continued rainfall periods may cause problems due to the presence of soils sensitive to moisture changes. The ground can respond by shrinking (settlement) when it dries, or swell-ing (heave) when it becomes wet again. This may result with instability of excavation cuts. Many railroad structures and embankments founded on such sensitive, unprotected soils require constant monitoring and remedial measures to prevent a potential failure.
DYCHÓW PUMPED-STORAGE POWER STATION
Dychow, Poland
The pumped-storage power station in Dychów was constructed between 1933 and 1936. After 75 years of continuous operation the owner of the facility decided to carry out scheduled maintenance and upgrades. The project was started in 2011 with the renovation of two fissured concrete sections of the approach ca-nal, 9.5 km long in total.
FREEMONT WATER RESERVIOR
Fremont, Ohio
Constructed in 1911, the Ballville Dam serves as the source of water for the city of Fremont, Ohio. It also blocks fish movement on the Sandusky River, preventing walleye access to an important spawning habitat. As a result, the City of Fremont teamed up with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to construct a new water supply reservoir, allowing the Ballville Dam to be removed and walleye movement to be unobstructed.
KEARNES MEADOWS PONDS
Jackson, Wyoming
Kearns Meadow consists of 41-acres of land in the middle of Jackson, Wyoming. It contains approximately one mile of Flat Creek, which serves as an important spawning habitat for local cutthroat trout.
ZARAGOZA HIGH SPEED RAIL
Zaragoza, Spain
In high speed railroad lines, continued rainfall periods may cause problems due to the presence of soils sensitive to moisture changes. The ground can respond by shrinking (settlement) when it dries, or swell-ing (heave) when it becomes wet again. This may result with instability of excavation cuts. Railroad lines founded on embankments comprising sensitive soils require constant monitoring and, in some cases, may require periodic shutdowns and maintenance.