CHEN Y L, ZHANG R Y, FU S G, et al .Influence of solid mass fraction on the consolidation characteristics of full tailings[J].Journal of Henan Polytechnic University(Natural Science), 2025,44(6):1-8.

doi:10.16186/j.cnki.1673-9787.2025030077

Received: 2025/03/31

Revised: 2025/08/26

Published: 2025/10/14

Influence of solid mass fraction on the consolidation characteristics of full tailings

Chen Youliang1, Zhang Ruyan2, Fu Shigen1, Yan Lulu1, Wang Shouyin1, Li Haigang3,4

1.China Academy of Safety Science and Technology， Beijing  100083， China；2.Beijing Emergency Command and Support Center， Beijing  100083， China；3.Jiangxi Academy of Emergency Management Science， Nanchang  330000， Jiangxi， China；4.Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Work Safety Risk Monitoring， Early Warning， Prevention and Control， Nanchang  330000， Jiangxi， China

Abstract: Objectives The influence of solids mass fraction on the consolidation behavior of unclassified， high-concentration tailings is investigated. Evolutionary patterns of pore water pressure and matric suction are revealed， and optimized engineering control strategies are proposed to enhance the stability of tailings dams. Methods Laboratory experiments were conducted to systematically examine the consolidation dynamics of high‑concentration tailings with solids mass fractions of 60%~70%. Moisture sensors were used to track the three-stage spatiotemporal evolution of volumetric water content （VWC）. Dynamic measurements of pore water pressure and matric suction were analyzed to assess seepage characteristics and consolidation processes across different C_s levels. Based on the experimental data， the coupling between particle-skeleton formation and water migration was examined， and engineering optimization strategies were proposed.  Results The solids mass fraction significantly affected the consolidation dynamics. Higher- C_s systems， due to stronger interparticle interactions， formed more stable particle skeletons， reduced seepage efficiency， and prolonged the dissipation time of excess pore water pressure. Pronounced spatial gradients in volumetric water content were observed， with a 6% difference between the upper and lower layers in the C_s =70% specimens.） Pore water pressure dissipation rates correlated positively with mass fraction， while the maximum matrix suction increased non-linearly from 59.12 kPa （C_s =60%） to 254.34 kPa （C_s =70%）. The multistage consolidation response revealed the evolution of moisture-migration mechanisms， and the final VWC showed a significant negative correlation with the initial <i>C_s</i>. The solids mass fraction non-linearly regulates the consolidation behavior of high solids tailings by modulating seepage dynamics and unsaturated characteristics. Conclusions This study provides a theoretical basis for parameter optimization of high concentration discharge processes in tailings storage facilities （TSFs）. Through the integration of intelligent monitoring systems with dynamic control strategies， the structural performance of the tailings dam can be effectively enhanced， thereby meeting the safety-management requirements of modern TSFs.

Key words: tailings dam; discharge; consolidation; matric suction