Objective

The goal for this project was to install a system what would monitor the integrity of the pond surface and the behavior due to high traffic, heavy truck loads, and environmental changes. The job took place in Fort McMurray Canada where temperatures can get as low as -40°F/-40°C.

GeoDetect®

The key element to this system is the GeoDetect® mats developed by TenCate Geosynthetics. These mats are developed with fiber optics embedded into the fabric. Each mat consists of eleven FBG sensors and can detect surface movement in every direction. These mats are rugged and have been buried under nine feet of petroleum coke, which is a byproduct of coal mining.

Equipment

Sensors

• 8 TenCate GeoDetect® mats consisting of eleven FBG sensors in each
• 4 Micron Optics ox4350 temperature compensation sensors

Instrumentation

• 1 Micron Optics sm125-500
• 1 Laptop

Results

• Due to the success of the monitoring system, MDH has decided to expand the project and deploy additional monitoring systems.

Click Here to see the Tailing Pond #5 project Application