Experimental Study on the Sedimentation Characteristics of Classified Tailings Underwater
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Understanding the short-term underwater settling behavior of classified tailings is important for interpreting deposit formation in ponded areas. One-dimensional settling-column tests were conducted for 36 h to examine how fine-particle content (<0.075 mm) and nominal slurry mass concentration were associated with soil-water interface evolution, visually defined settling phases, and cumulative interface displacement. The observations showed an early rapid-settling period, a post-interface settling/compression period, and a later low-rate compression period. After 36 h, the columns displayed a clear-water zone above a visually layered deposit. Across the six treatment means, 36 h cumulative settlement decreased as fine-particle content or nominal mass concentration increased. These are time-specific descriptive trends, not evidence of lower ultimate settlement: equilibrium was not demonstrated, only duplicate runs were performed, and the archived concentration-series records do not contain the run-specific initial volume, height, or component masses needed to isolate a concentration effect. No rheological, pore-pressure, microstructural, strength, or water-content measurements were made. The results therefore describe short-term behavior in a static laboratory column and should not be directly extrapolated to field-scale tailings facilities.
Source: Water
DOI: 10.3390/w18172113
Authors: Ke Qin, Jiewang Gao, Xiaogang Wu, Kai Tang, Minghua Luo, Yunlong Shu, Keliang Xiao
Institutions: Xi'an University of Technology, University of South China
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7204452996