The safe design of Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) requires an in-depth understanding of mine tailings’ geomechanical behavior. Several research studies have focused on mine tailings characterization, sometimes using large databases to derive performance trendlines. However, it is often difficult to distinguish which observed patterns are specific to mine tailings being different from natural sands. This paper addresses this topic by comparing the geomechanical behavior of an iron ore tailings and a silty sand with similar particle size distribution. The experimental plan comprised triaxial compression tests consolidated under isotropic and anisotropic conditions complemented by constant deviatoric stress tests where shear wave velocity and permeability measurements were performed. Scanning electron micrographs with chemical analysis by EDS spectrums, and morphological analysis to analyze shape descriptors supported the data interpretation. The results show some similarity in the stress-strain curves, but also several differences in compressibility, stiffness, and compaction density which are probably dependent on the distinct particles’ density. Moreover, the iron tailings showed higher brittleness and slightly higher critical state friction angle and instability stress ratio, which may be associated with less rounded particles. The results were analyzed on the scope of other soils within the same grain size range, in terms of critical state line, elastic stiffness, and hydraulic conductivity, confirming the wide variability and highlighting the need to pursue further work on these man-made materials.
Rı́os et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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