Seepage through a circular geomembrane hole when covered by fine-grained tailings under filter incompatible conditions

Experiments are conducted to quantify leakage through a circular geomembrane (GMB) hole using two subgrades (underliners) not meeting modern filter criteria. Test results show that 1.9- and 5.0-fold increase in diameter causes 1.8- 6.2-fold leakage, respectively, whereas 2-fold GMB thickness an approximate 10% decrease leakage. For constant hydrostatic effective stress, 2- 3-fold water head above the leads 2.5-fold respectively. Higher arising from intrusion of subgrade materials is quantified. A numerical model, considering localized concentration loss around consequent heterogeneity hydraulic conductivity due seepage force, presented. The percent within any position independent loading conditions only influenced by diameter. Finally, empirical equations for predicting tailings storage applications proposed. Compared with published do consider consolidation induced conductivity, proposed equation (which does these factors) gives more accurate prediction cases examined.