Assessment of the state parameter in mine tailings using cone penetration tests with calibration chambers

This thesis presents the first CPT-calibration chamber data on predominantly silty tailings, prepared at states looser than the critical state value, with the results analysed within a critical state soil mechanics framework. Tailings samples were prepared at loose, contractive states, to address the absence of such data in the literature, thus improving the CPT characterisation of contractive silty tailings. From this research, a rescaling equation for software widely used in practice is introduced and verified. Additionally, a novel, unified approach for the analysis of CPT partial drainage effects within a critical state soil mechanics framework is presented.