Influence of solid mass fraction on the consolidation characteristics of full tailings
Chen Youliang
Zhang Ruyan
Fu Shigen
Yan Lulu
Wang Shouyin
Li Haigang
Abstract：Objectives The influence of solids mass fraction on the consolidation behavior of unclassified,high-concentration tailings is investigated.Evolutionary patterns of pore water pressure and matric suction are revealed,and optimized engineering control strategies are proposed to enhance the stability of tailings dams.Methods Laboratory experiments were conducted to systematically examine the consolidation dynam-ics of high-concentration tailings with solids mass fractions of 60%～70%.Moisture sensors were used to track the three-stage spatiotemporal evolution of volumetric water content(VWC).Dynamic measurements of pore water pressure and matric suction were analyzed to assess seepage characteristics and consolidation processes across different Cs levels.Based on the experimental data,the coupling between particle-skeleton formation and water migration was examined,and engineering optimization strategies were proposed.Re-sults The solids mass fraction significantly affected the consolidation dynamics.Higher-Cs systems,due to stronger interparticle interactions,formed more stable particle skeletons,reduced seepage efficiency,and prolonged the dissipation time of excess pore water pressure.Pronounced spatial gradients in volumetric wa-ter content were observed,with a 6%difference between the upper and lower layers in the Cs=70%speci-mens.)Pore water pressure dissipation rates correlated positively with mass fraction,while the maximum matrix suction increased non-linearly from 59.12 kPa(Cs=60%)to 254.34 kPa(Cs=70%).The multistage consolidation response revealed the evolution of moisture-migration mechanisms,and the final VWC showed a significant negative correlation with the initial Cs.The solids mass fraction non-linearly regulates the consolidation behavior of high solids tailings by modulating seepage dynamics and unsaturated character-istics.Conclusions This study provides a theoretical basis for parameter optimization of high concentration discharge processes in tailings storage facilities(TSFs).Through the integration of intelligent monitoring systems with dynamic control strategies,the structural performance of the tailings dam can be effectively enhanced,thereby meeting the safety-management requirements of modern TSFs.
Keywords：tailings damdischargeconsolidationmatric suction
Publication Date：2025-11-30
Online Publishing Date：2025-10-22(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：8( 1-8 )