We recently completed a set of mini penetrometer testing on reconstituted iron ore tailings obtained from BHP’s Mount Whaleback mine.  The centrifuge testing included CPTu, T-bar, and ball penetrometers.  The focus was on rate effects and brittleness, to enable linking...

One of the focuses of TAILLIQ is using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate cone penetration tests in a saturated undrained granular medium.

In this model, the fluid behaviour is simulated using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The coupled LBM-DEM model is...

As part of TAILLIQ, we are using tube samples obtained adjacent to CPT probes to supplement and compare to our calibration chamber test results.  Tube samples taken in saturated low plasticity tailings can, in some cases, provide a useful estimate of in situ void ratio...

We are organising a round robin program focused on slope stability as part of TAILLIQ.   The problem involves investigating stability of a TSF with a rising phreatic surface (image below).  

Further information on the program can be found here:  https://d...

We recently carried out our fourth set of tailings sampling, this time at a Freeport-McMoRan Inc. mine in Arizona.  Samples were taken from the base of a battered excavation approximately 4 m deep, to allow direct comparison of the results of laboratory testing to cone...

As part of the TAILLIQ project, we will be carrying out centrifuge tests on model embankments.  These tests are to better understand some aspects of static liquefaction triggering, propagation of failure, and comparison to detailed laboratory test programs on the same...

We are commissioning an upgrade to our GDS triaxial cell, referred to as a DigiRFM, which gives much greater responsiveness when carrying out stress-controlled tests.   In the context of drained static liquefaction triggering, this enables constant shear drained (CSD)...

We recently carried out our third set of tailings sampling, this time at Rio Tinto’s Andoom TSF.  The samples were taken from surface and a shallow excavation.  Samples were obtained from both within and outside the mud farmed area, to enable comparison of the effects...

As part of the project, we recently completed our second round of sampling works, this time at BHP’s Mount Whaleback mine tailings storage facility.  In this sampling work, we attempted a new sampling method to allow us to take a large quantity of material from depths...

Calibration chamber tests have started at UNSW on our first tailings sample, with tests being carried out on both saturated and unsaturated material.  Photographs of sample preparation and test setup are below.  These results will assist in refining state parameter int...