Advances in Research of Seepage Stability of Tailings Dams

doi:10.11988/ckyyb.20231272

Abstract

Abstract:

Seepage field is a primary factor inducing the seepage instability of tailings dams. Intensifying research on the seepage stability of tailings dams is crucial for ensuring their safety and reducing the risk of dam failure. This paper reviews relevant domestic and international research data from the following perspectives: seepage instability failure types and influencing factors, seepage stability analysis methods, and safety monitoring and early-warning. It points out the existing problems in the research on seepage stability of tailings dams, including the lack of research on seepage failure discrimination techniques, insufficient comprehensive investigations into the factors affecting the seepage field, deficiencies in macro-micro multi-scale model experimental measurement methods and their generalized zoning, and the inadequacy of comprehensive stability analysis and evaluation methods, as well as safety monitoring and early-warning technologies. Given these deficiencies, this paper further clarifies future research priorities and issues requiring in-depth discussion, providing insights for future research.

Key words: tailings dams, seepage stability, seepage field, safety monitoring, research progress

CLC Number:

TV649其他

LIANG Bing, ZENG Yong, YI Fu, DU Chang-bo. Advances in Research of Seepage Stability of Tailings Dams[J]. Journal of Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, 2025, 42(3): 107-117.

Figures/Tables 7

Table 1 Classification of tailings[12]

类别	名称	分类标准
砂性尾矿	尾砾砂	粒径>2 mm颗粒占总质量的25%~50%
	尾粗砂	粒径>0.5 mm颗粒超过总质量的50%
	尾中砂	粒径>0.25 mm颗粒超过总质量的50%
	尾细砂	粒径>0.075 mm颗粒超过总质量的85%
	尾粉砂	粒径>0.075 mm颗粒超过总质量的50%
粉性尾矿	尾粉土	粒径>0.075 mm颗粒不超过总质量的50%,且塑性指数≤10
黏性尾矿	尾粉质黏土	10<塑性指数≤17
黏性尾矿	尾黏土	塑性指数>17

Table 2 Major types of seepage damage

项目	流土型
土类	渗透性能强,任何土均可发生	一般发生在分散性土或特定级配的无黏性土
位置	水流渗出的表层	渗流口处、坝体内部
现象	尾砂的移动使尾矿坝失稳,导致坝体整体性溃决	尾砂沿着颗粒骨架间的孔道移动,形成通道,不断扩展,形成溃口,造成坝体溃坝
原因	渗透力足够大	粗、细颗粒骨架形成的孔隙
后果	下游坡面产生局部滑动等	结构发生塌陷或溃口

Table 3 Main discriminatory methods for seepage damage[21⇓-23]

提出者	判别方法	判别准则
伊斯托明娜 (Istomina)	不均匀系数法	C_u<10为流土破坏 10≤C_u≤20为过渡破坏 C_u>20为管涌破坏
中国水利水电科学研究院刘杰	细料含量法	P_z<25%为管涌破坏 25%≤P_z<35%为过渡破坏 P_z≥35%为流土破坏
南京水利科学研究院沙金煊	修正细粒含量法	P'_z=a $\frac{\sqrt{n}}{1 + \sqrt{n}}$ ≥P_z 满足上式,为管涌破坏; 反之,为流土破坏
甫拉维登	细料粒径比较法	$\frac{d_{3}}{d_{17}}$ ≥0.41 $\sqrt[6]{C_{u}} \frac{n}{1 - n}$ ; 满足上式,为管涌破坏; 反之,为流土破坏
中国水利水电科学研究院	孔隙直径比较法	D₀>d₅为管涌破坏 d₃≤D₀≤d₅为过渡破坏 D₀<d₃为流土破坏
水利水电科学研究院	综合判别法	综合考虑以上几种方法的优缺点

Table 3 Main discriminatory methods for seepage damage[21⇓-23]

提出者	判别方法	判别准则
伊斯托明娜 (Istomina)	不均匀系数法	C_u<10为流土破坏 10≤C_u≤20为过渡破坏 C_u>20为管涌破坏
中国水利水电科学研究院刘杰	细料含量法	P_z<25%为管涌破坏 25%≤P_z<35%为过渡破坏 P_z≥35%为流土破坏
南京水利科学研究院沙金煊	修正细粒含量法	P'_z=a $\frac{\sqrt{n}}{1 + \sqrt{n}}$ ≥P_z 满足上式,为管涌破坏; 反之,为流土破坏
甫拉维登	细料粒径比较法	$\frac{d_{3}}{d_{17}}$ ≥0.41 $\sqrt[6]{C_{u}} \frac{n}{1 - n}$ ; 满足上式,为管涌破坏; 反之,为流土破坏
中国水利水电科学研究院	孔隙直径比较法	D₀>d₅为管涌破坏 d₃≤D₀≤d₅为过渡破坏 D₀<d₃为流土破坏
水利水电科学研究院	综合判别法	综合考虑以上几种方法的优缺点

Fig.1 Multi-field coupled interaction of tailings dams

Table 4 Seepage stability of tailings dam under rainfall conditions

文献序号	影响因素	分析结果
[44]	前期降雨	在前期降雨下尾矿坝安全系数持续下降
[45]	降雨持时	一定降雨强度下,随着降雨时间的推移,尾矿坝安全系数随降雨量增大而减小
[46]、[47]	连续降雨	连续降雨使尾砂逐渐趋于饱和,尾矿坝浸润线迅速上升
[48]	降雨重现	尾矿坝安全系数、可靠度指标均与降雨重现期成正比
[49]	降雨强度和持时	坝体孔隙水压力与降雨强度、持时均呈正相关,其安全系数随降雨持时迅速下降并最终趋于稳定

Table 5 Physical model tests of seepage-accumulation dams

文献序号	试验内容	尺寸 (长×宽×高)	比例尺	材料
[34]	研究粗、细尾矿在筑坝过程中的渗流规律	7 m×3 m×1.5 m	1:200	粗、细粒尾矿
[61]	探讨初期坝透水性、坝体下游坡比、干滩长度对渗流场的影响	3 m×1 m×1.2 m	1:200	粉煤灰
[67]	研究尾砂的分布与沉积特征、坝体浸润线的埋深及变化规律	7 m×2.5 m×1.5 m	1:200	铜尾砂
[68]	研究渗流破坏下尾矿库溃坝过程、溃口发展以及尾砂沉积规律	1 m×0.2 m×0.3 m	1:100	原尾矿砂

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of safety monitoring system

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