A Coupled Large Strain Consolidation-Unsaturated Flow Model for Subaerially Deposited Tailings Management

摘要

Models that have the ability to simulate desiccation and large strain consolidation are from time to time employed to predict post-deposition densification of subaerially deposited tailings. Most models employ a relatively simple treatment of the unsaturated zone to achieve workable coupling. This paper presents a piecewise-linear formulation for simulating coupled large strain consolidation and unsaturated flow using a mass conservative and non-iterative solution The model is partially verified by comparison with existing models, and tested against laboratory and field data. The comparative advantages of this methods over existing coupled desiccation-consolidation formulations, includes the ability to actually simulate saturation, which allows for a more realistic treatment of evaporation and a more realistic profiles and density and water content near the tailings surface. Additionally, the ability to model saturation will allow for the assessment of deposition schemes with respect to oxygen ingress and acid generation.