Determination of Water-Saturated Tailings Compaction Characteristics During Geotechnical Massif Formation

Abstract

The research focuses on the tailing dump, which is located in the Norilsk industrial region’s (Northern Siberia) territory. The difficulty of precisely calculating the period of tailings consolidation presented itself to the authors while they conducted research on improving the technological parameters of the tailings alluvium. Without resolving this issue, it is impossible to improve the technology of the tailings alluvium. In order to assure safety and efficiency at all phases of construction and to strengthen the stability of the examined tailings, a sophisticated set of model tests and calculations was conducted. This work provided the foundation for modifying the work techniques. The method for defining the maximum density at the optimum humidity, when the formation of a geotechnical massif at the tailing dam’s inwash occurs, has been devised on the basis of laboratory testing. The findings from study may be effectively used as the foundation for building tailing dams.