Simple calculator to determine the required geometry to construct a compliant safety bund on a mine site.
A safety bund (also commonly referred to as a berm, safety bundwall, bundwall or windrow), is a triangular or trapezoidal shaped mound of earthen material used to redirect wandering vehicles and/or to absorb some of the impact energy if a vehicle hits them. They are a standard safety feature on a haulroad, waste/spoil dump crest, pit wall crest, and other areas where a vertical drop or collision hazard exists. They are also commonly constructed to demarcate nominated pit wall standoff distances in active mining areas.
Mining and geotechnical engineers will typically request a mine safety bund be constructed to a specific height. This free and simple calculator allows mining equipment operators and supervisors to easily calculate the required base width of a typical triangular-shaped bund to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and Safety Health Management System requirements.
Safety bunds are typically designed based on the following principles:
The minimum height of a safety bund should be at least equal to the radius of the largest tyre using the roadway or area.
Minimum Bund Height = Tyre Radius
The base width depends on the required height and the angle of repose of the material used.
Base Width = 2 × Height ÷ tan(Angle of Repose)
For more information, users are encouraged to read the Recognised Standard 19 - Design and Construction of Mine Roads, published by the Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.
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