Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach
Abstract Sand mining using dredging technology from channel bars is a common technique worldwide. To minimize adverse effects of dredging, geo-engineering nature of the soil should be evaluated before mining. Therefore, the present study deals with the potential risks associated with dredging for mi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Discover Geoscience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00116-7 |
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| author | Md. Shohel Rana A.T.M. Shakhawat Hossain Md. Fuad Hasan Md. Aminur Rahman Pradip Kumar Biswas Mohammad Nazim Zaman |
| author_facet | Md. Shohel Rana A.T.M. Shakhawat Hossain Md. Fuad Hasan Md. Aminur Rahman Pradip Kumar Biswas Mohammad Nazim Zaman |
| author_sort | Md. Shohel Rana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sand mining using dredging technology from channel bars is a common technique worldwide. To minimize adverse effects of dredging, geo-engineering nature of the soil should be evaluated before mining. Therefore, the present study deals with the potential risks associated with dredging for mineral sand extraction by analyzing the engineering geological properties of the soil from the Brahmaputra River bar and the surrounding areas, Bangladesh. A detailed engineering geological analysis was conducted using field and laboratory testing methods, including Standard Penetration Tests (SPT), mineralogy, grain size distribution (GSD), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and direct shear tests. The findings divulge that the soil in the study area is light gray, unconsolidated, moderately sorted, poorly graded, and classified as fine-to-medium silty sand. SPT-based liquefaction potential assessments suggest that the soils are highly susceptible to liquefaction, particularly during dredging or seismic events. The study also identifies the risk of localized slumping and soil instability, which exacerbated by micaceous and quartz-rich sands. The CBR results further classify the subgrade as weak to medium-strong, indicating risks of slumping, erosion, and instability. The non-cohesive granular soil in the area may liquefy or be susceptible to erosion, wave attack, bank slope failures, and seepage development during and after dredging as indicated from GSD and direct shear test results. Thus, proper safety precautions, including soil stabilization techniques, controlled dredging, and slope reinforcement, should be taken before dredging on such river bar to minimize risk. This research offers practical guidance for dredging companies to minimize risks and improve soil stability, contributing to safer and more sustainable river bar dredging operations worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb57d0e337854c59a9cc31db127c5027 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2948-1589 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Geoscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb57d0e337854c59a9cc31db127c50272025-02-09T12:16:37ZengSpringerDiscover Geoscience2948-15892025-02-013111910.1007/s44288-025-00116-7Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approachMd. Shohel Rana0A.T.M. Shakhawat Hossain1Md. Fuad Hasan2Md. Aminur Rahman3Pradip Kumar Biswas4Mohammad Nazim Zaman5Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)Department of Geological Sciences, Jahangirnagar UniversityInstitute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)Abstract Sand mining using dredging technology from channel bars is a common technique worldwide. To minimize adverse effects of dredging, geo-engineering nature of the soil should be evaluated before mining. Therefore, the present study deals with the potential risks associated with dredging for mineral sand extraction by analyzing the engineering geological properties of the soil from the Brahmaputra River bar and the surrounding areas, Bangladesh. A detailed engineering geological analysis was conducted using field and laboratory testing methods, including Standard Penetration Tests (SPT), mineralogy, grain size distribution (GSD), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and direct shear tests. The findings divulge that the soil in the study area is light gray, unconsolidated, moderately sorted, poorly graded, and classified as fine-to-medium silty sand. SPT-based liquefaction potential assessments suggest that the soils are highly susceptible to liquefaction, particularly during dredging or seismic events. The study also identifies the risk of localized slumping and soil instability, which exacerbated by micaceous and quartz-rich sands. The CBR results further classify the subgrade as weak to medium-strong, indicating risks of slumping, erosion, and instability. The non-cohesive granular soil in the area may liquefy or be susceptible to erosion, wave attack, bank slope failures, and seepage development during and after dredging as indicated from GSD and direct shear test results. Thus, proper safety precautions, including soil stabilization techniques, controlled dredging, and slope reinforcement, should be taken before dredging on such river bar to minimize risk. This research offers practical guidance for dredging companies to minimize risks and improve soil stability, contributing to safer and more sustainable river bar dredging operations worldwide.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00116-7Mineral sand miningStandard penetration testEngineering geological analysisGrain size distributionCalifornia bearing ratioLiquefaction potential |
| spellingShingle | Md. Shohel Rana A.T.M. Shakhawat Hossain Md. Fuad Hasan Md. Aminur Rahman Pradip Kumar Biswas Mohammad Nazim Zaman Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach Discover Geoscience Mineral sand mining Standard penetration test Engineering geological analysis Grain size distribution California bearing ratio Liquefaction potential |
| title | Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach |
| title_full | Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach |
| title_fullStr | Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach |
| title_short | Unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining: an engineering geological approach |
| title_sort | unraveling the risk of dredging on river bars for mineral sand mining an engineering geological approach |
| topic | Mineral sand mining Standard penetration test Engineering geological analysis Grain size distribution California bearing ratio Liquefaction potential |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-025-00116-7 |
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