An Experimental Study Focusing on the Filling Process and Consolidation Characteristics of Geotextile Tubes Filled with Fine-Grained Tungsten Tailings

With advancements in mineral processing technology, the disposal of fine-grained tailings has increasingly become a significant challenge. The geotextile tube method, characterized by its use of a permeable fabric and its cost-effectiveness, has gradually been applied in dam construction and other engineering projects involving tailings. This method offers a novel approach to addressing the storage issues of fine-grained tailings and promotes sustainable utilization. In this paper, the fine tailings that remained after the cyclone classification of Ganzhou tungsten ore were taken as the research object. Specifically, this research endeavored to evaluate the effects of various filling heights and concentrations on the geotextile tube-filling and consolidation process. The results revealed that the filling concentration had a significant impact on the filling benefit of the geotextile tubes, while the filling height had a minimal effect. During the consolidation drainage stage, the dry density, internal friction angle, cohesion, and compression modulus of the tailings in the bags increased with an increasing consolidation time and filling concentration. However, the physical and mechanical properties of the tailings in the geotextile tubes decreased with an increased filling height. Ultimately, this research developed a hyperbolic equation that makes it possible to forecast the ultimate settlement value at various filling heights and concentrations, better representing how the settlement of geotextile tubes changes over the consolidation time.