In situ characterisation of weak cretaceous clay shales and rich feed oil sands using a self-bore pressuremeter

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The proposed research will use advanced pressuremeter testing to determine the in-situ characteristics of the shale overburden and oil sands formations at an advancing oil sands mine. The characteristics of interest will be to develop non-linear stiffness models capable of capturing weakened, post-yield deformations. The research will also attempt to accurately determine the evolution of the principle stresses in-situ prior to mine excavation and after the completion of pit wall excavation. Finally, testing in the rich feed oil sands will attempt to characterize the strength loss of over-saturated soils (with respect to dissolved gas) during pit wall excavation. The parameters obtained from the advanced field program will be supplemented by laboratory tests and fed into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional stress-strain models capable of predicting pit wall movements during mine advancement. The efficacy of these models will then be compared to field monitoring programs including physical monitoring and remote sensing techniques. The goal of this research is to better develop a displacement based observational design for pit wall construction through the Cretaceous clay shale and to better predict the mechanisms associated with gas dissolution and flow slides, which can occur in rich feed ore. These goals will be used by the Industrial Partner to provide information needed to manage risks associated with worker health and safety as well as potential production downtime.