Strength and deformation behaviors of cemented tailings backfill under triaxial compression

It is of great significance for safety reason to obtain the triaxial compressive properties of cemented tailings backfill(CTB). The influence of cement content, curing age and confining pressure on strength and deformation properties of CTB was examined and discussed. Results indicate that the triaxial compressive and deformation behavior of CTB is strongly affected by the cement content, curing age and confining pressure. The increase in cement content, curing age and confining pressure leads to a change in stress-strain behavior and an increase in the axial strain at failure and post-peak strength loss. The cohesion of CTB rises as the curing age and cement content increase. However, the enhancement in internal friction angle is trivial and negligible. It should be noted that the failure pattern of CTB samples in triaxial compression is mainly along a shear plane, the confining pressure restrains the lateral expansion and the bulging failure pattern is dominantly detected in CTB samples as curing age length and cement content increase. The results will help to better understand the triaxial mechanical and deformation behavior of CTB.