Assessment of unsaturated soil properties for seepage modeling through tailings and mine wastes

The most common modeling performed on tailings and mine wastes involves seepage and the movements of contaminants. Most emphasis in geotechnical engineering is related to determining the saturated soil properties of soils; however, the unsaturated soil properties are generally required when considering tailings and mine wastes. This paper focuses on means whereby unsaturated soil property functions can be determined for seepage modeling purposes. It is proposed the assessment of unsaturated soil properties be divided into a hierarchical system involving four Levels. The Levels of assessment will focus primarily on seepage related problems involving tailings and mine wastes. The intent is to illustrate that there should be no situation where it is not possible to obtain an assessment of the unsaturated soil property functions required for modeling purposes.