Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/gae.2021.26.5.499

Experimental study of the evolution of pore water pressure and total stresses during and after the deposition of slurried backfill  

Jaouhar, El Mustapha (Research Institute on Mines and Environment, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal)
Zheng, Jian (Research Institute on Mines and Environment, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal)
Li, Li (Research Institute on Mines and Environment, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal)
Publication Information
Geomechanics and Engineering / v.26, no.5, 2021 , pp. 499-512 More about this Journal
Abstract
Mining backfill is increasingly used in underground mines to fill stopes. Its successful application depends on the stability of barricades built to retain the backfill in stopes. The design of barricades requires a good estimation of pore water pressure (PWP) and total stresses during and after the deposition. On this regard, a large number of works have been published on analytical and numerical solutions. There are however very few experimental results with simultaneous measurements of PWP as well as horizontal and vertical total stresses that can be used to validate or calibrate the analytical and numerical solutions. For a specific project, field measurements are interesting in terms of representativeness to field conditions, but the results are very difficult to be correctly interpreted because the treated problem can involve a large number of uncertainties and the obtained results are due to combined effects of several influencing factors. Laboratory tests with simplified and well-controlled conditions are thus preferred. Until now, however, the most previous laboratory tests were conducted with dry backfill or with a tailings slurry instantaneously poured in a confining structure without simultaneous measurements of PWP as well as horizontal and vertical total stresses. Studies on the effects of filling rate and solid content of backfill on the variation of PWP and total stresses during the filling operation are absent. To fill these gaps, a series of column backfilling tests were conducted with simultaneous measurements of PWP as well as vertical and horizontal total stresses during and after the deposition of slurried backfill. When the filling rate is high, the test results showed that the PWP, horizontal and vertical total stresses increase at the same rate and equal to the iso-geostatic overburden pressure during the deposition of backfill slurry. Their peak values appear at the end of deposition. The backfill thus behaves like a liquid with little generation of effective stresses during the deposition. High filling rate and/or high solid content lead to high PWP and horizontal total stresses at the end of deposition. When the filling rate is small, the PWP and total stresses exhibit also peak values at the end of filling operation, but the vertical total stress at the center can continue increasing with time after the end of deposition due to the suspended sensor and occurrence of a phenomenon known as stress shielding effect. The results also showed that the settlement of settled backfill after the end of slurry deposition can generally exhibits a fast evolution rate stage, followed by a slow evolution rate stage. The duration of the fast evolution rate stage and the final settlement of the settled backfill increase as the solid content decreases. The final settlement after the end of slurry deposition is related to the solid content, not to the filling rate.
Keywords
column tests; consolidation; mining backfill; pore water pressure; settlement; total stresses;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Berthoz, N., Branque, D., Wong, H. and Subrin, D. (2013), "Stress measurement in partially saturated soils and its application to physical modeling of tunnel excavation", Can. Geotech. J., 50(10), 1077-1087. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0154.   DOI
2 Jahanbakhshzadeh, A., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2017), "A new analytical solution for the stress state in inclined backfilled mine stopes", Geotech. Geol. Eng., 35(3), 1151-1167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0171-6.   DOI
3 Knutsson, S. (1981), "Stresses in the hydraulic backfill from analytical calculations and in situ measurements", Proceedings of the Conference on Application of Rock Mechanical to Cut and Fill Mining, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, .U.K.
4 Boudrias, G. (2018), "Evaluation numerique et experimentale du drainage et de la consolidation de residus miniers a proximite d'une inclusion de roches steriles (in French)", Master Dissertation, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
5 Li, L., Aubertin, M. and Belem, T. (2005), "Formulation of a three-dimensional analytical solution to evaluate stresses in backfilled vertical narrow openings", Can. Geotech. J., 42(6), 1705-1717. https://doi.org/10.1139/t05-084.   DOI
6 Askew, J.E., McCarthy, P.L. and Fitzerald, D.J. (1978), "Backfill research for pillar extraction at ZC/NBHC", Proceedings of the 12th Canadian Rock Mechanics Symposium, Sudbury, Canada, May.
7 Aubertin, M., Bussiere, B. and Bernier, L. (2002), Environnement et Gestion des Rejets Miniers, Presses Internationales de Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
8 Saleh-Mbemba, F. and Aubertin, M. (2018), "Characterization of self-weight consolidation of fine-grained mine tailings using moisture sensors", Geotech. Test. J., 41(3), 543-554. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20170035.   DOI
9 Helinski, M. and Grice, A.G. (2007), "Water management in hydraulic fill operations", Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium in Mining with Backfill, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
10 Qin, J.H., Zheng, J. and Li, L. (2021b), "Experimental study of the shrinkage behavior of cemented paste backfill", J. Rock. Mech. Geotech., 13(3), 545-554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.01.005.   DOI
11 Selig, E.T. (1980), "Soil stress gage calibration", Geotech. Test. J., 3(4), 153-158. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ10912J.   DOI
12 Sivakugan, N. (2008), "Drainage issues and stress developments within hydraulic fill mine stopes", Aust. J. Civ. Eng., 5(1), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.1080/14488353.2008.11463939.   DOI
13 Bussiere, B. (2007), "Colloquium (2004): Hydro-geotechnical properties of hard rock tailings from metal mines and emerging geo-environmental disposal approaches", Can. Geotech. J., 44(9), 1019-1052. https://doi.org/10.1139/T07-040.   DOI
14 Wang, R., Li, L. and Simon, R. (2019), "A model for describing and predicting the creep strain of rocks from the primary to the tertiary stage", Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 123, 104087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2019.104087.   DOI
15 Aubertin, M., Li, L., Arnoldi, S., Belem, T., Bussiere, B., Benzaazoua, M. and Simon, R. (2003), "Interaction between backfill and rock mass in narrow stopes", Proceedings of the Soil and Rock America 2003: 12th Panamerican Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering and 39th U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., June
16 Belem, T., Harvey, A., Simon, R. and Aubertin, M. (2004), "Measurement of internal pressures of a gold mine pastefill during and after the stope backfilling." Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Ground Support in Mining and Underground Construction, Perth, Australia, September.
17 Benzaazoua, M., Belem, T. and Jolette, D. (2000), "Investigation de la stabilite chimique et son impact sur la resistance mecanique des remblais cimentes." Report IRSST, IRSST ed., R-260: 2000, pp 158 + Annexes.
18 Bloss, M.L. and Chen, J. (1998), "Drainage research at Mount Isa Mines Limited 1992-1997", Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Mining with Backfill, Brisbane, Australia.
19 Cao, S., Yilmaz, E. and Song, W. (2018), "Evaluation of viscosity, strength and microstructural properties of cemented tailings backfill", Minerals, 8(8), 352. https://doi.org/10.3390/min8080352.   DOI
20 Cao, S., Xue, G.L., Yilmaz, E. and Yin, Z.Y. (2021), "Assessment of rheological and sedimentation characteristics of fresh cemented tailings backfill slurry", Int. J. Min. Reclam. Env., 35(5), 319-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2020.1826092.   DOI
21 Sobhi, M.A., Li, L. and Aubertin, M. (2017), "Numerical investigation of earth pressure coefficient along central line of backfilled stopes", Can. Geotech. J., 54(1), 138-145. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0165.   DOI
22 Sivakugan, N., Rankine, R.M., Rankine, K.J. and Rankine, K.S. (2006), "Geotechnical considerations in mine backfilling in Australia", J. Cleaner Prod., 14(12-13), 1168-1175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.06.007.   DOI
23 Sivakugan, N., Widisinghe, S. and Wang, V.Z. (2014), "Vertical stress determination within backfilled mine stopes", Int. J. Geomech., 14(5), 06014011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000367.   DOI
24 Sobhi, M.A. and Li, L. (2017), "Numerical investigation of the stresses in backfilled stopes overlying a sill mat", J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng., 9(3), 490-501. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2017.01.001.   DOI
25 Take, W. and Valsangkar, A. (2001), "Earth pressures on unyielding retaining walls of narrow backfill width", Can. Geotech. J., 38(6), 1220-1230. https://doi.org/10.1139/t01-063.   DOI
26 Talesnick, M. (2005), "Measuring soil contact pressure on a solid boundary and quantifying soil arching", Geotech. Test. J., 28(2), 171-179. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ12484.   DOI
27 Ting, C.H., Shukla, S.K. and Sivakugan, N. (2011), "Arching in soils applied to inclined mine stopes", Int. J. Geomech., 11(1), 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000067.   DOI
28 Falaknaz, N., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2015c), "Numerical investigation of the geomechanical response of adjacent backfilled stopes", Can. Geotech. J., 52(10), 1507-1525. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2014-0056.   DOI
29 Chen, Q.S., Zhang, Q.L., Qi, C.C., Fourie, A. and Xiao, C.C. (2018), "Recycling phosphogypsum and construction demolition waste for cemented paste backfill and its environmental impact", J. Clean. Prod., 186, 418-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.131.   DOI
30 Falaknaz, N., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2015b), "Numerical analyses of the stress distribution in two neighbouring backfilled stopes", Int. J. Geomech., 15(6), 1019-1052. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000466.   DOI
31 Ting, C.H., Sivakugan, N. and Shukla, S.K. (2012), "Laboratory simulation of the stresses within inclined stopes", Geotech. Test. J., 35(2), 280-294. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ103693.   DOI
32 Dalce, J. B., Li, L. and Yang, P.Y. (2019), "Experimental study of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) distribution of hydraulic backfill associated with segregation", Minerals, 9, 147. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9030147.   DOI
33 Darling, P. (2011), SME Mining Engineering Handbook, 3rd Edition, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.
34 Clayton, C.R.I. and Bica, A.V.D. (1993), "The design of diaphragm-type boundary total stress cells", Geotechnique, 43(4), 523-535. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1993.43.4.523.   DOI
35 Cui, L. and Fall, M. (2017), "Multiphysics modeling of arching effects in fill mass", Comput. Geotech., 83, 114-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.10.021.   DOI
36 Doherty, J.P., Hasan, A., Suazo, G.H. and Fourie, A. (2015), "Investigation of some controllable factors that impact the stress state in cemented paste backfill", Can. Geotech. J., 52(12), 1901-1912. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2014-0321.   DOI
37 Doherty, J.P. and Wood, D.M. (2016), "Back analysis of the Kanowna Belle stope filling case history", Comput. Geotech., 76, 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.03.009.   DOI
38 El Mkadmi, N., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2013), "Effect of drainage and sequential filling on the behavior of backfill in mine stopes", Can. Geotech. J., 51(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2012-0462.   DOI
39 Essayad, K. and Aubertin, M. (2021), "Consolidation of hard rock tailings under positive and negative pore-water pressures: testing procedures and experimental results", Can. Geotech. J., 58(1), 49-65. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2019-0594.   DOI
40 Fall, M., Benzaazoua, M. and Ouellet, S. (2004), "Effect of tailings properties on paste backfill performance", Proceedings 8th International Symposium on Mining with Backfill, Beijing, China, September.
41 Helinski, M., Fourie, A., Fahey, M. and Ismail, M. (2007), "Assessment of the self-desiccation process in cemented mine backfills", Can. Geotech. J., 44(10), 1148-1156. https://doi.org/10.1139/T07-051.   DOI
42 Fall, M., Belem, T. and Benzaazoua, M. (2005), "The compressive and tensile properties of underground paste backfill", Proceedings of the 58th Canadian Geotechnical and 6th Joint IAH-CNC and CGS Groundwater Specialty Conferences, Saskatoon, Canada, September.
43 Grice, T. (1998), "Stability of hydraulic backfill barricades", Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium of Mining and Backfill, Brisbane, Australia.
44 Hassani, F. and Archibal, J. (1998), Mine Backfill (CD-ROM), Canadian Institute of Mine, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Canada.
45 Helinski, M., Fahey, M. and Fourie, A. (2011), "Behaviour of cemented paste backfill in two mine stopes measurements and modelling", J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 137(2), 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000418.   DOI
46 Huynh, L., Beattie, D.A., Fornasiero, D. and Ralston, J. (2006), "Effect of polyphosphate and naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate on the rheological properties of dewatered tailings and cemented paste backfill", Miner. Eng, 19(1), 28-36. ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2005.05.001.   DOI
47 Wang, R., Zeng, F. and Li, L. (2021), "Stability analyses of side-exposed backfill considering mine depth and extraction of adjacent stope", Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 142, 104735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2021.104735.   DOI
48 Wood, D.M., Doherty, J.P. and Walske, M.L. (2016), "Deposition and selfweight consolidation of a shrinking fill", Geotechnique Lett., 6(1), 72-76. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgele.15.00142.   DOI
49 Falaknaz, N., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2015a), "Evaluation of the stress state in two adjacent backfilled stopes within an elasto-plastic rock mass", Geotech. Geol. Eng., 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-015-9868-6.   DOI
50 Fahey, M., Helinski, M. and Fourie, A. (2010), "Consolidation in accreting sediments: Gibson's solution applied to backfilling of mine stopes", Geotechnique, 60(11), 877-882. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.P.078.   DOI
51 Zheng, J., Li, L., Mbonimpa, M. and Pabst, T. (2018b), "An analytical solution of Gibson's model for estimating pore water pressures in accreting deposition of slurried material under one-dimensional self-weight consolidation. Part II: Impervious base", Ind. Geotech. J., 48(1), 188-195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-017-0234-x.   DOI
52 Yang, P. Y., Li, L. and Aubertin M. (2016), "Stability analyses of waste rock barricades designed to retain paste backfill", Int. J. Geomech., 17(3), 04016079. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000740.   DOI
53 Yang, P. Y., and Li, L. (2017), "Evolution of water table and pore-water pressure in stopes with submerged hydraulic fill", Int. J. Geomech., 17(9), 04017052. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000944.   DOI
54 Zheng, J., Li, L., Mbonimpa, M. and Pabst, T. (2018a), "An analytical solution of Gibson's model for estimating the pore water pressures in accreting deposition of slurried material under one-dimensional self-weight consolidation. Part I: Pervious base", Ind. Geotech. J., 48(1), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-017-0234-x.   DOI
55 Zheng, J., Li, L. and Li, Y.C. (2019), "Total and effective stresses in backfilled stopes during the fill placement on a pervious base for barricade design", Minerals, 9(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9010038.   DOI
56 Li, L. and Aubertin, M. (2008), "An improved analytical solution to estimate the stress state in sub-vertical backfilled stopes", Can. Geotech. J., 45(10), 1487-1496. https://doi.org/10.1139/T08-060.   DOI
57 Zheng, J. and Li, L. (2020a), "Experimental study of the "short-term" pressures of uncemented paste backfill with different solid contents for barricade design", J. Clean. Prod., 275, 123068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123068.   DOI
58 Li, L. and Aubertin, M. (2009), "A three-dimensional analysis of the total and effective stresses in submerged backfilled stopes", Geotech. Geol. Eng., 27(4), 559-569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-009-9257-0.   DOI
59 Li, L. and Aubertin, M. (2010), "An analytical solution for the nonlinear distribution of effective and total stresses in vertical backfilled stopes", Geomech. Geoeng., 5(4), 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2010.497871.   DOI
60 Li, L., Alvarez, I.C. and Aubertin, J.D. (2013), "Self-weight consolidation of a slurried deposition: Tests and interpretation", Int. J. Geotech. Eng., 7(2), 205-213. https://doi.org/10.1179/1938636213Z.00000000016.   DOI
61 Qin, J.H., Zheng, J. and Li, L. (2021a), "An analytical solution to estimate the settlement of tailings or backfill slurry by considering the sedimentation and consolidation", Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol., 31(3), 463-471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2021.02.004.   DOI
62 Thompson, B. D., Bawden, W. F. and Grabinsky, M. W. (2012), "In situ measurements of cemented paste backfill at the Cayeli Mine", Can. Geotech. J., 49(7), 755-772. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-040.   DOI
63 Zheng, J., Li, L., and Li, Y.C. (2020b), "A solution to estimate the total and effective stresses in backfilled stopes with an impervious base during the filling operation of cohesionless backfill. Int. J. Numer. Anal. Met. Geomech., 44(11), 1570-1586. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.3079.   DOI
64 Qi, C.C. and Fourie, A. (2019), "Numerical investigation of the stress distribution in backfilled stopes considering creep behaviour of rock mass", Rock. Mech. Rock. Eng., 52(9), 3353-3371. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01781-0.   DOI
65 Li, L., Aubertin, J.D. and Dube, J.S. (2014), "Stress distribution in a cohesionless backfill poured in a silo", Open Civ. Eng. J., 8(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874149501408010001   DOI
66 Page, P., Li, L., Yang, P. and Simon, R. (2019), "Numerical investigation of the stability of a base-exposed sill mat made of cemented backfill", Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 114, 195-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.10.008.   DOI
67 Pedroni, L. (2011), "Etude experimentale et numerique de la sedimentation et de la consolidation des boues de traitement des eaux acides", Ph.D. Dissertation, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
68 Pirapakaran, K. and Sivakugan, N. (2007a), "Arching within hydraulic fill stopes", Geotech. Geol. Eng., 25(1), 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-006-0003-6.   DOI
69 Pirapakaran, K. and Sivakugan, N. (2007b), "A laboratory model to study arching within a hydraulic fill stope", Geotech. Test. J., 30(6), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ100653.   DOI
70 Jahanbakhshzadeh, A., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2018a), "Threedimensional stress state in inclined backfilled stopes obtained from numerical simulations and new closed-form solution", Can. Geotech. J., 55(6), 810-828. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0385.   DOI
71 Kesimal, A., Yilmaz, E. and Ercikdi, B. (2004), "Evaluation of paste backfill test results obtained from different size slumps with varying cement contents for sulphur-rich mill tailings", Cement Concrete Res., 34(10), 1817-1822.   DOI
72 Jahanbakhshzadeh, A., Aubertin, M. and Li, L. (2018b), "Analysis of the stress distribution in inclined backfilled stopes using closed-form solutions and numerical simulations", Geotech. Geol. Eng., 36(2), 1011-1036. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0371-0.   DOI
73 Jaouhar, E.M. and Li, L. (2019), "Effect of drainage and consolidation on the pore water pressures and total stresses within backfilled stopes and on barricades", Adv. Civ. Eng., 2019, 1802130. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1802130.   DOI
74 Jaouhar, E.M., Li, L. and Aubertin, M. (2018), "An analytical solution for estimating the stresses in vertical backfilled stopes based on a circular arc distribution", Geomech. Eng., 15(3), 889-898. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2018.15.3.889.   DOI
75 Komurlu, E. and Kesimal, A. (2015), "Sulfide-rich mine tailings usage for short-term support purposes: An experimental study on paste backfill barricades", Geomech. Eng., 9(2), 195-205. http://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2015.9.2.195.   DOI
76 Komurlu, E., Kesimal, A. and Demir, S. (2016), "Experimental and numerical analyses on determination of indirect (splitting) tensile strength of cemented paste backfill materials under different loading apparatus", Geomech. Eng., 10(6), 775-791. http://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2016.10.6.775   DOI
77 Essayad, K. (2015), "Development of Experimental Protocols for the Characterization of Saturated and Unsaturated Tailings Consolidation from Compression Tests in Columns", Master Dissertation, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Montreal, Canada (in French).