Simms, P, Dunmola, A, Fisseha, B & Bryan, R 2010, 'Generic modelling of desiccation for cyclic deposition of thickened tailings to maximise density and to minimise oxidation', in R Jewell & AB Fourie (eds), Paste 2010: Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 293-301, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1063_25_Simms
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1063_25_Simms/)
Abstract: It has been shown in past publications by the authors’ research group that desiccation and desaturation of 
surface deposited paste tailings can be reasonably predicted using unsaturated flow codes under both 
laboratory controlled conditions and at a relatively arid field site. Given the variability of climate site to site, 
and from day to day at any given site, can we make some general guidelines or principles using generic 
modelling to help guide deposition management? A suite of generic numerical analyses are undertaken in 
which climate, layer thickness, water retention properties and hydraulic conductivity of the tailings, and 
water content at deposition are varied. It is shown that considering a single layer in isolation can lead to 
severe underestimation of drying time required to achieve a given water content or density. The underlying 
previously desiccated tailings are shown to have a profound influence on the rate of drying of a freshly 
placed layer, and may indeed make it impossible to reach a given water content through desiccation alone. 
The use of capillary breaks to overcome this problem is briefly evaluated.