Consolidation parameters and shear strength of mine tailings in some selected mining sites in the Philippines

• Main Authors: Gozum, Christopher Rey G., Tan, Eunice Veronique I., Velasquez, Carlo Antonio M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10977
• Institution: De La Salle University

When constructing any type of structure, it is important to have design parameters that would be used to achieve stability and safety. In relation to this, mine tailing dams should not just be constructed without knowing the properties of the materials being used. In this case, the mine tailings themselves are used as the embankment materials. There were already instances that because of the lack of information of the structural and geotechnical characteristic of mine tailings, spilling of dams have occurred locally and globally affecting nearby areas. To prevent loss of lives and natural and economic damages, there is a need to properly design mine tailing dams through obtaining design parameters, specifically consolidation characteristics and shear strength of mine tailings. The purpose of the study was to determine the mine tailings consolidation constants such as the swelling index, compression index, apparent stiffness, coefficient of volume compressibility, and coefficient of consolidation to know their settlement characteristics. Another purpose was to determine also their friction angle at three different conditions of loading to classify them if they are good embanking materials for other uses. They were tested using the geodometer apparatus in getting consolidation parameters and the direct shear apparatus in getting their shear strength. For the shear test, the mine tailings were tested at saturated and dry conditions. This was done to simulate the actual scenario wherein at first, mine tailings are slurries in form and after some time, they dry up. The mine tailing samples were tested at two target relative densities specifically at 60% and 90% relative density. The shear strength results tell that the mine tailings behavior are comparable to that of sandy soils but the consolidation test results indicate that they are impermeable.