Proposta metodológica de reforço em barragem de rejeitos com estacas metálicas cravadas por técnica press-in

Abstract

In recent decades, the failure of mining tailings dams in Brazil has led to significant changes in legislation and safety practices related to tailings disposal. The enactment of regulations such as ANM Resolution No. 95/2022 and the amendment of Federal Law No. 12,334/2010 have imposed restrictions on the continued use of upstream-raised structures, requiring their reinforcement or decharacterization. In response, the mining sector has sought feasible alternatives to ensure the stability of these structures, especially given operational, environmental, and safety constraints. Among the solutions investigated, the use of steel piles installed using the Press-in method stands out. This technology is widely applied internationally and offers several advantages, including low noise and vibration levels, high load-bearing capacity, and ease of installation in various soil types. This study aims to assess the technical feasibility of using tubular steel piles as reinforcement for tailings dams, employing the Press-in method. A design methodology adapted to Brazilian conditions is proposed, taking into account local geotechnical and regulatory requirements. As a practical application, the design of a hypothetical reinforcement structure is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology.