Constitutive modelling of unsaturated gold tailings subjected to drying and wetting cycles

The strength and deformation properties of tailing materials are strongly affected by their hydromechanical history including the cycles desiccation re-saturation they undergo due to often layered deposition process. current study reviews fundamental characteristics some commonly used constitutive models for partially saturated soils, namely Barcelona Basic Model (BBM), Glasgow Coupled (GCM), a dilatancy-based model Buscarnera Nova (BNM) in predicting response materials. In particular, we investigate shortcomings each compare capability capturing salient trends during drying/wetting cycles, as well shearing. Based on comparison with experimental data, modifications suggested models, specifically related realistic formulation water retention curve its hysteresis. results point potential trade-off accuracy volumetric responses one hand, stiffness shearing phase other.