Consolidation characteristics of hydraulically deposited tailings obtained from shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements in triaxial and oedometric cells with piezoelectric ring-actuator technique (P-RAT)

This paper presents the main results of a laboratory study of the use of shear wave velocity, V s , to characterize hydraulically deposited tailings on the basis of density (void ratio), mean effective stress, and overconsolidation ratio. Tailings specimens from a gold mine in western Quebec were prepared in triaxial and oedometric cells in a manner that simulates hydraulic deposition. The specimens were consolidated isotropically and anisotropically (stress ratio, K of 0.38). V s measurements were performed at each load increment using the piezoelectric ring-actuator technique (P-RAT). Correlations relating shear wave velocity to the void ratio, confining stress, and overconsolidation ratio of the tailings are presented. These laboratory correlations can be used for the characterization of the tailings by in situ V s measurement. The application of these correlations to seismic cone penetration testing in an actual tailings impoundment is also presented.