FMEA of a tailings dam

Abstract

The concepts, principles, assumptions and fundamental rules of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) are introduced. An application to Cerro do Lobo tailings dam is presented, with the description of the system considered, the functionalities, the potential failure modes of each component, their corresponding root causes and the sequence of effects. Finally, the available measures in place for the detection and control of the sequence of effects are also identified. Although FMEA application in complex dam systems may constitute a time-consuming process, its outcome can be extremely useful as illustrated in this article. It makes it possible to assess and manage the major risks of dams so that mitigation actions, taken at an early stage, can be optimised from an efficiency standpoint.

Keywords:

• qualitative risk analysis
• FMEA
• detection measures
• control measures
• tailings dam

Acknowledgements

This research project was sponsored by LNEC (Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil), whose support is gratefully acknowledged. The authors wish also to thank the dam owner, the company SOMINCOR, for their permission to use data from Cerro do Lobo dam.