Lessons Learned in the Interpretation of SCPT on a Tailings Facility Using the CSSM Framework
Authors: Jorge León1, Claudia Vallejos1
Conference: Tailings 2025: 11th International Conference on Tailings Management
Date: September 3-5, 2025
1 Knight Piésold S.A., Chile
ABSTRACT
This study presents an assessment of the application of the Seismic Cone Penetration Test with pore pressure measurements (SCPT) for evaluating a tailings storage facility with high saturation levels and low equilibrium pore pressures. The research addresses critical insights gained from a site investigation, providing practical lessons for the current industry practices. The primary findings involve the challenges related to interpreting data and characterizing the mechanical behavior of partially saturated tailings when the material is not fully saturated but contains sufficient water content to develop excess pore pressure. The study emphasizes assessing shear strength parameters, accounting for pore pressure effects in the tailings mass, the methodology adopted, and the laboratory testing carried out. The analyses performed are of a screening-level nature, enabling a straightforward and effective evaluation of tailings behavior. Furthermore, this study contributes to a more refined understanding of the geotechnical behavior of tailings with a high degree of saturation using SCPT within the Critical State Soil Mechanics (CSSM) framework to assess geotechnical behavior.
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