Fractal character of lenticles and its influence on sediment state in tailings dam

Abstract

The distribution of tailings lenticles reflects the sediment state of tailing dam, and has a great influence on the stability of the dam. In order to disclose the distribution law of tailings lenticles in theory, 12 geological cross-sections, including 7 cross-sections of tailings dam constructed by the upstream method and 5 cross-sections by the middle line method, were analyzed with box dimension method. The results show that the distribution of tailings lenticles has better fractal character with box dimension from 1.290 7 to 1.513 6. The box dimension of the tailings dam constructed by upstream method is nearly 1.50 and that by middle line method is 1.30. Thereby the values of lenticles dimension have obvious relation to the method of constructing dam, and reflect the sediment state of tailings dam with the rule that smaller value means better state.

Keywords

tailings dam / box dimension / fractal / tailings lenticles

References

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