An Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Tailings Dam with Geotextile Bags

The friction performance and compression properties of geotextile bags under different degrees of consolidation are researched through the slope sliding test, direct shear test, and unconfined compression test in this study. The geotextile bags are made up of geotextile and tailings sands obtained from a construction site of a prototype tailings dam in Yunnan Province. The slope sliding test is considered as an easy method to study the friction performance of geotextile bags with different degrees of consolidation. Through the test, the friction coefficients between the bags were obtained. Given the geotextile bags can withstand the vertical load in practical engineering, the direct shear test is also proposed and conducted. The ultimate bearing capacity of the geotextile bags with different consolidation degrees is studied in the unconfined compression test. The test reveals that the ultimate bearing capacity of geotextile bags, although featured with different moisture contents before the test, stays the same under the condition of slow loading. Finally, a stability analysis method based on the limit equilibrium theory is developed to simulate the stability of the tailings dam using geotextile bags (TDGB). According to the test results, the TDGB has demonstrated an improved stability compared with the general tailings dam.

Automated summary

This study investigates the friction performance and compression properties of geotextile bags under different degrees of consolidation using the slope sliding test, direct shear test, and unconfined compression test. The geotextile bags consist of geotextile and tailings sands from a prototype tailings dam in Yunnan Province. The friction coefficients between the bags are obtained through the slope sliding test, while the direct shear test examines the ability of the bags to withstand vertical load. The unconfined compression test reveals that the ultimate bearing capacity of the geotextile bags remains the same under slow loading conditions despite different moisture contents before the test. Additionally, a stability analysis method based on the limit equilibrium theory is developed to assess the improved stability of the tailings dam using geotextile bags (TDGB) compared to a general tailings dam.