Emeritus Professor David Williams
Emeritus Professor

David Williams

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Background

Professor David John Williams was the Initiator and Director of the Geotechnical Engineering Centre within the School of Civil Engineering at The University of Queensland, an industry-funded centre that has attracted AUD10 million in funding over the period from 2007 to 2022. He also manages the industry-sponsored Large Open Pit Project, involving 10 global mining company sponsors, with current funding of USD1 million per year. He has over 40 years of teaching, research and consulting experience, and is internationally recognised for his expertise and experience in mine waste management and mine closure, pertaining to tailings dams in particular. He was a member of Expert Panel investigating technical causes of Brumadinho tailings dam failure and is on a number of Tailings Independent Technical Review Boards, including for Escondida Copper Mine in Chile. He authored in 2009 and 2016 Tailings Management Handbook, as part of the Commonwealth Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. He is on Working Party for the Australian National Committee for Large Dams Guidelines on Tailings Dams – Planning, Design, Construction, Operation and Closure, published in 2012, with an Addendum in 2019 and currently being updated. He initiated in 2020 and largely delivers the AusIMM Tailings Management Professional Certificate Course that has been taken by almost 1,500 Tailings Practitioners worldwide.

David received his BE (Hons I) in Civil Engineering from Monash University in 1975 and his PhD in Soil Mechanics from the University of Cambridge in 1979. His research and consulting interests include:

  • Physical characterisation of mine tailings deposition, including beaching, hydraulic sorting, sedimentation, consolidation, desiccation and loading
  • Store and release cover systems for potentially acid forming mine wastes
  • Co-disposal of mine tailings and coarse-grained mine wastes
  • Dewatering and densification of mine tailings
  • Dewatering of mineral products
  • Moisture movement within mine wastes
  • Settlement of coarse-grained mine wastes
  • Strength of coarse-grained mine wastes
  • Engineered rehabilitation of mine sites
  • Risk assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis of mine site rehabilitation and closure
  • Long-term seepage and runoff from mine tailings storages
  • Characterisation of potentially acid forming waste rock dumps
  • Application of high-resolution digital stereo-photography to monitoring erosion from mine waste slopes
  • Mined landform evolution and design

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Williams is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Civil engineering Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, Monash University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Research impacts

Professor Williams' research on mine tailings continues to be applied to improve the dewatering and densification of tailings deposited as a slurry. He developed the store and release cover system for potentially acid forming mine wastes for application in semi-arid and seasonally dry climates, which has been applied worldwide. He characterised the deposit formed on the pumped co-disposal of coal mine washery wastes; a method that has been widely adopted in the coalfields of eastern Australia and Indonesia. The co-disposal of coarse-grained mine wastes and tailings is also being applied. His research on the wetting-up of mine waste rock dumps has contributed to understanding of rainfall infiltration into and seepage from waste rock dumps.

The shear strength and settlement of coarse-grained mine wastes have become important as the scale of waste rock dumps and spoil piles increases. Professor Williams has been a pioneer in the application of risk assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis to mine site rehabilitation and closure. In addition, he applied high-resolution digital stereo-photography to monitoring erosion from mine waste slopes. He has pioneered mined landform evolution and design.

Shortlisted Media and Video Outputs

Search Professor David Williams’s works on UQ eSpace

416 works between 1981 and 2025
All (416) Journal Article (185) Book Chapter (9) Conference Publication (216) Book (4) Other Outputs (2)

321 - 340 of 416 works

2001

Book Chapter

Assessment of embankment parameters

Williams, D. J. (2001). Assessment of embankment parameters. Slop Stability in Surface Mining. (pp. 275-284) edited by Hustrulid, W. A., McCarter, M. C. and van Zyl, D. J. A.. Littleton, Colorado, USA: Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

Assessment of embankment parameters

2001

Conference Publication

Alternative approaches to closure of tailings storage facilities in an arid climate

Williams, David J. and Bentel, G. M. (2001). Alternative approaches to closure of tailings storage facilities in an arid climate. International Conference on Mining and the Environment - Securing the Future, Skelleftea, Sweden, 25 June-1 July 2001.

Alternative approaches to closure of tailings storage facilities in an arid climate

2001

Conference Publication

Alternative approaches to closure of tailings storage facilities

Williams, D. J. and Bentel, G.M. (2001). Alternative approaches to closure of tailings storage facilities. Securing the Future, Skelleftea, Sweden, 14-18 October 2001. Stockholm, Sweden: The Swedish Mining Association.

Alternative approaches to closure of tailings storage facilities

2000

Journal Article

A revision of Blight’s model of field vane testing

Morris, Peter Henri and Williams, David John (2000). A revision of Blight’s model of field vane testing. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 37 (5), 1089-1098. doi: 10.1139/cgj-37-5-1089

A revision of Blight’s model of field vane testing

2000

Journal Article

A dynamic method for determining the soil water characteristic curve for coarse-grained soils

Rassam, D. W. and Williams, D. J. (2000). A dynamic method for determining the soil water characteristic curve for coarse-grained soils. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 23 (1), 67-71.

A dynamic method for determining the soil water characteristic curve for coarse-grained soils

2000

Journal Article

The porosity of co-disposed coalmine wastes

Morris, P. H. and Williams, D. J. (2000). The porosity of co-disposed coalmine wastes. International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 14 (1), 63-73. doi: 10.1080/13895260008953299

The porosity of co-disposed coalmine wastes

2000

Conference Publication

The environment impacts of open pit mining in perspective

Williams, D. J. (2000). The environment impacts of open pit mining in perspective. 5th International Symposium on Environmental Geotechnology and Global Sustainable Development, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 17-23 August 2000. Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Federal University of Minas Gerais.

The environment impacts of open pit mining in perspective

2000

Journal Article

A revision of Blight's model of field vane testing

Morris, Peter Henri and Williams, David John (2000). A revision of Blight's model of field vane testing. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 37 (5), 1089-1098. doi: 10.1139/t00-035

A revision of Blight's model of field vane testing

2000

Conference Publication

Extension of agriculture-based erosion prediction to steep mine waste slopes

Williams, D. J. (2000). Extension of agriculture-based erosion prediction to steep mine waste slopes. 5th International Symposium on Environmental Geotechnology and, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 17-23 August 2000. Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Federal University of Minas Gerais.

Extension of agriculture-based erosion prediction to steep mine waste slopes

2000

Conference Publication

Risk assessment approach to rehabilitation of Bowen Basin open cut coal mine spoil areas

Gowan, M. J., Williams, D. A. and Williams, D. J. (2000). Risk assessment approach to rehabilitation of Bowen Basin open cut coal mine spoil areas. GeoEng 2000, An International Conference on Geotechnical & Gegological Engineering, Melbourne, Australia, 19-24 November 2000. 851 New Holland Avenue, Box 3535, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA: Technomic Publishing Co, Inc.

Risk assessment approach to rehabilitation of Bowen Basin open cut coal mine spoil areas

1999

Journal Article

A worldwide correlation for exponential bed particle size variation in subaerial aqueous flows

Williams, D. J. and Morris, P. H. (1999). A worldwide correlation for exponential bed particle size variation in subaerial aqueous flows. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 24 (9), 835-847. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199908)24:93.0.CO;2-G

A worldwide correlation for exponential bed particle size variation in subaerial aqueous flows

1999

Journal Article

Some comments on the prediction of mine waste beach slopes

Morris, P. H. and Williams, D. J. (1999). Some comments on the prediction of mine waste beach slopes. International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 13 (1), 31-36. doi: 10.1080/09208119908944199

Some comments on the prediction of mine waste beach slopes

1999

Conference Publication

Stability of mine tailings impoundment structure after decommissioning

Williams, D. J., Chen, H. and Sabri, Y. (1999). Stability of mine tailings impoundment structure after decommissioning. Proceedings of 8th Australia-New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics, Hobart, 14-19 February 1999. Canberra: Aust. Geomechanics Society.

Stability of mine tailings impoundment structure after decommissioning

1999

Journal Article

Three-dimensional effects on slope stability of high waste rock dumps

Rassam, D. W. and Williams, D. J. (1999). Three-dimensional effects on slope stability of high waste rock dumps. International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 13 (1), 19-24. doi: 10.1080/09208119908944197

Three-dimensional effects on slope stability of high waste rock dumps

1999

Journal Article

Worldwide correlations for subaerial aqueous flows with exponential longitudinal profiles

Morris, P. H. and Williams, D. J. (1999). Worldwide correlations for subaerial aqueous flows with exponential longitudinal profiles. Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, 24 (10), 867-879. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199909)24:103.0.CO;2-L

Worldwide correlations for subaerial aqueous flows with exponential longitudinal profiles

1999

Journal Article

Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Mine Tailings under Wetting and Drying Conditions

Rassam, Daud W. and Williams, David J. (1999). Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Mine Tailings under Wetting and Drying Conditions. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 22 (2), 144-152.

Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Mine Tailings under Wetting and Drying Conditions

1999

Journal Article

A numerical study of steady state evaporative conditions applied to mine tailings

Rassam, D. W. and Williams, D. J. (1999). A numerical study of steady state evaporative conditions applied to mine tailings. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 36 (4), 640-650. doi: 10.1139/cgj-36-4-640

A numerical study of steady state evaporative conditions applied to mine tailings

1999

Journal Article

Bearing capacity of desiccated tailings

Rassam, D. W. and WILLIAMS, D. J. (1999). Bearing capacity of desiccated tailings. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 125 (7), 600-610. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(1999)125:7(600)

Bearing capacity of desiccated tailings

1999

Journal Article

Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of mine tailings under wetting and drying conditions

Rassam, D. W. and Williams, D. J. (1999). Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of mine tailings under wetting and drying conditions. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 22 (2), 138-146.

Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of mine tailings under wetting and drying conditions

1999

Journal Article

A relationship describing the shear strength of unsaturated soils

Rassam, D. W. and Williams, D. J. (1999). A relationship describing the shear strength of unsaturated soils. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 36 (2), 363-368. doi: 10.1139/cgj-36-2-363

A relationship describing the shear strength of unsaturated soils

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Williams is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The tailings dam design process: Design parameters and assessment methodologies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Utilisation of Mining Wastes as Backfill Material for Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Partha Narayan Mishra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Behaviour of railway expansive soil subgrade under wetting and drying cycles

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Settling, consolidation and desiccation of mine tailings slurry

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Analytical model for the setup of driven piles

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring the deformation of mine waste facilities

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Engineering Behaviour of Clay-sized Tailings Relevant to Their Disposal and Utilisation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessment of hydrological and geotechnical behaviour of bauxite residue after filter pressing and repulping

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Thierry Bore, Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Continuous analysis of the timeseries data to predict early TARP for a closed Tailings storage facility using data driven methods.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Tunnelling related topic - Water mitigation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Damage Behaviour of Rock Salt Under Coupled Thermomechanical Polyaxial Stresses

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mehdi Serati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Catastrophic rock and concrete brittle failures

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mehdi Serati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Value of Geotechnical Information as a Public or Private Asset

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Farming method and assessment of its application in bauxite residue using scaled laboratory model

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Master Philosophy

    Preventing fatalities tailings facilities failures: Pathways to action

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jill Harris, Professor Deanna Kemp

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor David Williams directly for media enquiries about:

  • Dumps - mine waste
  • Earthquakes - engineering
  • Engineering - earthquake
  • Engineering - geotechnical
  • Foundations - engineering
  • Geomechanics - mines
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Landform design - mining
  • Mine rehabilitation
  • Mine waste disposal
  • Rehabilitation - mine sites
  • Slope stability - mining

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