Design Considerations for Ash Pond Dyke Construction in Hilly Terrain for High Concentrated Slurry Disposal: A Case Study

Designing an ash pond for High Concentrated Slurry Disposal (HCSD) in hilly terrains poses a unique set of challenges. In such regions, the availability of barren land adjacent to the project sites is limited, making it difficult to locate suitable sites for ash pond construction. Furthermore, the hilly terrain and complex topography demand careful planning and design to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the ash pond and associated infrastructure. This paper discusses the design considerations for the construction of an ash pond dykes in a hilly region of Vietnam for HCSD disposal. The case study highlights detailed geotechnical design investigations such as soil type, slope stability and groundwater conditions. In addition, geotechnical instrumentation to monitor the performance of ash pond dykes and the subsoil supporting it during and after construction is also discussed. The paper also examines the environmental and hydrological design aspects of the ash pond, including development of drainage and channelization concept along the hilly terrain to manage storm water and prevent the mixing of rain water with ash slurry, which could otherwise create an environmental hazard.