Mining Analyst

I am posting two videos that I used to analyze the footage of the dam collapse of the Vale Córrego do Feijão Dam I in Brumadinho. These videos could help others who are trying to analyze the footage for useful information in assessing the collapse. The first video is a closeup slice sequence of the crest or ridge line (in 5 sections from left side of the dam at top to right side at the bottom) showing the initial moments of the failure. The downward progression of the crest line reveals that initial movement occurred just to the left of the drill rig with secondary movements along the crest to either side.

Below you will find annotated video analysis of the Vale Córrego do Feijão Dam I collapse at the iron ore mine near Brumadinho in Brazil. This is being done in an attempt to learn early lessons and identify takeaways. Close up in slow motion (0.50x and 0.25x speed) reveals initial slide movement, failure sequence and possible trigger. Movement is seen initially at a seepage point in the toe of the dam near a "groin" area (where a starter dyke reinforcement extends outward at the center of the dam .... left side in the video). The movement is possibly a gush of water being ejected at the seepage point due to a change in pore pressure indicating that mobilized shear stress had overcome shear resisting force and initiated sliding along a critical slip surface. Based on this and other indications, the collapse of the dam is possibly yet another case of static liquefaction triggered by progressive deformation and increase in pore pressure, not (necessarily) seismic activity o...