Experimental study and numerical reproduction of self-weight consolidation behavior of thickened tailings

Abstract: Thickened tailings, defined as mineral wastes that behave as a non-Newtonian fluid, show a small yield stress and release a small amount of water following deposition. Thickening has become an increasingly used option in tailings management. This paper presents a detailed examination of gold mine thickened tailings undergoing self-weight consolidation, which is an important mechanism affecting soft soils immediately after deposition. Self-weight consolidation was evaluated using a column equipped with water pressure transmitters whereas a slurry consolidometer was employed to obtain the compressibility relationship under low vertical effective stresses. The piecewise-linear model CS2 was used to model the experimental self-weight consolidation test. This model proved very accurate in reproducing the observed behavior. Both the test results and the model results also confirmed the absence of sedimentation in the thickened tailings, which is in agreement with values reported in the literature related to similar materials

Sand Displacement and Compaction around Model Friction Piles

By means of radiography techniques the displacement and compaction of sand around strain gage instrumented model piles has been studied. Tests reveal a possible explanation for the low transfer of load through “skin friction” developed by a straight-sided pile, and the high transfer of load developed by the tapered pile. The limits of “visible” soil movement (displacement envelopes) have been determined for nine different pile conditions and a direct relationship has been found to exist between the magnitude of the displacement envelope and pile capacity, indicating interdependence of transfer of load through the pile point and pile wall. </jats:p