Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge
Due to the logistical challenges associated with using nuclear densitometers at remote sites, the industry is seeking an alternative method to determine the in situ density and moisture content during the construction of filtered tailings facilities. This study aims to investigate the impact of sali...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/3/231 |
| _version_ | 1797239947463229440 |
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| author | Yawu Liang Nicholas Beier Justin Bieber Prempeh Owusu |
| author_facet | Yawu Liang Nicholas Beier Justin Bieber Prempeh Owusu |
| author_sort | Yawu Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to the logistical challenges associated with using nuclear densitometers at remote sites, the industry is seeking an alternative method to determine the in situ density and moisture content during the construction of filtered tailings facilities. This study aims to investigate the impact of salinity on soil electrical properties and evaluate the feasibility of using an electrical density gauge (EDG) to measure the in situ density and moisture content of saline filtered tailings. The results indicate a dependence of electrical measurements on salinity. To develop procedures for soil calibration models of filtered tailings, standard Proctor tests were first conducted using Devon silt. These procedures were then applied to the filtered tailings to establish correlations between electrical properties (dielectric constant, impedance, capacitance-to-resistance ratio) and physical properties (density and moisture content) at varying salinities. It is suggested to build the soil calibration model using an EDG within a water content range of 10% to 18%. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the developed calibration models has been validated, demonstrating the applicability of the EDG instrument for filtered tailings in a saline environment. However, applying the salinity correction is crucial when the sample has a considerably different salinity than the calibration model. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:59:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a48da47b8189452dbb79e2a51f0c14dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:59:38Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-a48da47b8189452dbb79e2a51f0c14dd2024-03-27T13:56:10ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2024-02-0114323110.3390/min14030231Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density GaugeYawu Liang0Nicholas Beier1Justin Bieber2Prempeh Owusu3Geotechnical Center, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, CanadaGeotechnical Center, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, CanadaMeliadine Mine, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Rankin Inlet, NU X0C 0G0, CanadaMeliadine Mine, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Rankin Inlet, NU X0C 0G0, CanadaDue to the logistical challenges associated with using nuclear densitometers at remote sites, the industry is seeking an alternative method to determine the in situ density and moisture content during the construction of filtered tailings facilities. This study aims to investigate the impact of salinity on soil electrical properties and evaluate the feasibility of using an electrical density gauge (EDG) to measure the in situ density and moisture content of saline filtered tailings. The results indicate a dependence of electrical measurements on salinity. To develop procedures for soil calibration models of filtered tailings, standard Proctor tests were first conducted using Devon silt. These procedures were then applied to the filtered tailings to establish correlations between electrical properties (dielectric constant, impedance, capacitance-to-resistance ratio) and physical properties (density and moisture content) at varying salinities. It is suggested to build the soil calibration model using an EDG within a water content range of 10% to 18%. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the developed calibration models has been validated, demonstrating the applicability of the EDG instrument for filtered tailings in a saline environment. However, applying the salinity correction is crucial when the sample has a considerably different salinity than the calibration model.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/3/231in situ densityfiltered tailingselectrical density gauge (EDG) |
| spellingShingle | Yawu Liang Nicholas Beier Justin Bieber Prempeh Owusu Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge Minerals in situ density filtered tailings electrical density gauge (EDG) |
| title | Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge |
| title_full | Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge |
| title_fullStr | Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge |
| title_short | Measuring the In Situ Density and Moisture Content of Filtered Tailings Using an Electrical Density Gauge |
| title_sort | measuring the in situ density and moisture content of filtered tailings using an electrical density gauge |
| topic | in situ density filtered tailings electrical density gauge (EDG) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/3/231 |
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