Mesoscopic Seepage Simulation and Analysis of Unclassified Tailings Pores Based on 3D Reconstruction Technology

[Image: see text] Taking the unclassified tailings as the research object, the three-dimensional (3D) pore model was established using computed tomography (CT) scanning technology, image processing, and the 3D reconstruction method. The model was imported into Flac3D software for mesoscopic seepage simulation and analysis. Combined with the laboratory seepage experiment, the influence of tailings’ mesoscopic parameters on permeability was explored. The results show that there is a high correlation between the fractal dimension and fragmentation index of tailings pores and the mesoscopic seepage coefficient, with correlation coefficients of 0.987 and 0.973, respectively. When the porosity difference of the pore model is small, the permeability is mainly affected by pore connectivity. The mathematical model between the permeability coefficient and the fragmentation index of tailings is established. The average error between the permeability coefficient calculated by the model and the measured value is reduced to 4.98%, which proves that the mathematical model has guaranteed reliability.