Regulatory Guide 3.11
| ML13350A256 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/30/1973 |
| From: | US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| RG-3.011 | |
| Download: ML13350A256 (2) | |
June 1973 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
REGULATORY
DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS
GUIDE
REGULATORY GUIDE 3.11 DESIGN STABILITY OF EMBANKMENT RETENTION SYSTEMS FOR URANIUM MILLS
A. INTRODUCTION
retention systemn. the perifeability of the soil on which tailings are deposited. and the materials with which the embanknments are constructed. It is imnportant that these Each licensee who piocesses or refines ore in a uranium mill is required to comply wiih the provisions embankment retention systems be designed and of 10 CFR Part 20. "Standards for Protection Against constructed in accordance with sound engineering principles to assure that they will maintain dtcir Radiation." Section 20.106. "Concentrations in EIffluents to Unrestricted Areas." generally provides that structural integrity. Several analytical methods are available that may be used to determine the stability of licensees shall not possess. use. or transfer licensed material s) as to release to anl unrestricted area emnbankments for various heights and slopes. seepage radioactive material in concentrations which exceed the conditions, and soil strengtl" parameters. The results of such stability analyses should demonstrate an acceptable limits. spccified in Appendix B. Tablc II of Part 20.
factor of safety against failure for all pertinent design conditions.
The milling ol' uranium ore results in the production of large volu nues of liquid and solid wastes. (tailings) both of which usually contain concentrations of radioactive
C. REGULATORY POSITION
material in excess of those specified in Table .11, Appendix B of Part 20. It is therefore necessary to I. Basic Design Considerations confic such liquid and solid tailings and prevent their Embankment retention systems for uranium mill release to the environment. Conflnement is usually tailings should be designed to assure structural integrity acconmplished by the construction of an embankment during the intended lifetime of the system. The stability of retention system. This regulator), guide specifies an embankment retention syslemn should be evaluated acceptable methods of analyzing the stability of for construction and operating conditions utilizing the embankments. minimum acceptable safety factors that expected in situ engineering properties of the foundation are applicable during construction and use of and embankment materials and pertinent geologic embankment retention systems, and acceptable information.
surveillance procedures.
2. Methods of Stability Analysis The acceptable methods of analyzing tihe stability of
B. DISCUSSION
embanknients are the adaptations of lte circular arc method. Other proven methods of analyzing stability.
'The design, construction. and size of embankment such as the sliding wedge method. may be used if they retention systems for uranium mill tailings will vary are more applicable to the particular situation being significantly from one milling location to another. The considered.
characteristics of these systems will depend on such diverse factors as the capacity of the mill. the type of 3. Design Conditions for Analysis ore processed. the amount of waste produced. the Stability analyses of embankments should be amount of solution impounded, the type of milling l.performed for the following design conditions:
process, the topography of the area in which thle mill is a. End of Construction (upstream and located, the amount of land thai is available for the downstream slopes):
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Reg*.;ory Guides are Issued to describe and make available to the public Attentson: Diretior of Regulatory Standards. Comments and suggetions lot methods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of implementing specific paris of imrtovements in thema guides ere encouraged and should be sent to the Secretary the Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff in of the Commlision. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Washington. D.C. 20545.
ovaluating specific ptoblems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to Attention: ChlefPublic Proceedings Steff.
applicents. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations and compliance with them Is not required. Methods and solutions different from those SetOut in The guides Areitsued in the following ten broad divitions:
the guides will be acceptable If they provide a basis for the findings requitite to the issuance or continuance of a or license by the Commistsion.
oermit 1. Power Reactors 8. Products permt by2. Research and Trest Reactors 7. T'ransportation
3. Fuels and Matefiets Facilities 8. Occupational Health Published guides will be revised periodically. as appropriate. to accommodate 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Review comments and to reflect new Information or eipetlence. 5. Materials and Plant Protection iO. General
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