Evaluating the Damping Ratio of Tailings by Different Experimental Methods: Case Study of Riotinto Mines
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Tailings are unconventional geomaterials that require dynamic characterisation due to seismic hazards at several storage facilities. Due to the anthropic origin of these materials, their dynamic properties differ from those reported for natural soils. In particular, the damping ratio is a relevant parameter that controls the dynamic response of tailings storage facilities. It can be estimated using different experimental methods. The objective of this research is to disclose the results obtained through laboratory tests in which the damping ratio was evaluated independently by Half-Power Bandwidth or the free-vibration decay methods. A comprehensive testing plan comprising resonant column tests and free-vibration decay tests was carried out on three types of tailings from the Riotinto mines (Huelva, Spain): Cerro Salomón Sand (CSS), High-Density Sludge (HDS), and Copper Lamas (CL). These tests were carried out under different effective consolidation pressures and torsional excitations. The results allowed the establishment of a series of relationships between the testing conditions and the identification of differences between the methods for tailings.
Source: Geosciences
Institution: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
Awards: G1105844351, G1175115578, G1233872688, G1622782223, G2262748287, G300979063, G34346518, G3480869486, G410571670, G425668148, G451917667, G4526231891, G4911873639, G491712853, G5080475149, G5404395142, G5539308778, G5635532810, G5706400617, G5967599077, G624877701, G7084143925, G7805626310, G7863371703, G8497050386, G929308097
OpenAlex ID: W7156606703