Full-scale experimental testing of dump-point safety berms in surface mining

Waste rock (muck) piles are used as energy absorption barriers in many surface mining applications, such as berms at dumping points and at the crest of slopes, and in windrows as traffic separators or edge barriers on haul roads. The height of safety berms and windrows is currently designed using rules of thumb, such as height equal to half the maximum wheel diameter. However, over the last few decades, the dimensions of haul trucks have increased, and it is unclear if such rules of thumb are still applicable. This study, funded by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP), was carried out with the objective of improving the current knowledge on design and construction of dump-point safety berms in mining environments. Through full-scale experimental investigations on the dynamic impact of haul trucks on dump-point safety berms, significant data on berm design, construction materials, as well as principal berm characteristics were collected for the first time. The experimental findings suggested that the current rule of thumb might only be suitable for dump points where trucks travel at velocities lower than 10 km/h. The studies also showed that safety berms should be built using fresh, blocky, nonslaking waste rock materials and well maintained over their lifespan.