Introduction

Modeling the sequential placement of mine tailings is analogous to a sedimentation problem. The weight of the added tailings causes excess pore-water pressures to develop in the previously placed tailings. In this sense, it is like a consolidation test, but with continually moving boundary. In the case where there is no under-drainage, the problem is further complicated by the fact that a portion of the excess pore-water pressure is converted into long-term hydrostatic pressures. Furthermore, the hydraulic conductivity changes with time, as the sediments consolidate.

This example illustrates how SIGMA/W can be used to model this type of problem.