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)

381 - 400 of 416 works

1991

Journal Article

Sample size for laboratory calibration of subsurface neutron moisture gauges

Morris, Peter H. and Williams, David J. (1991). Sample size for laboratory calibration of subsurface neutron moisture gauges. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 14 (1), 71-77. doi: 10.1520/gtj10193j

Sample size for laboratory calibration of subsurface neutron moisture gauges

1991

Journal Article

Stochastic finite element analysis of coal mine spoil pile stability

Williams, D. J. and Zou, J. Z. (1991). Stochastic finite element analysis of coal mine spoil pile stability. Computer methods and advances in geomechanics. Proc. 7th interational conference, Cairns, 1991. Vol. 2, 1411-1416.

Stochastic finite element analysis of coal mine spoil pile stability

1991

Journal Article

Two-dimensional finite element analysis of a trial embankment on coal mine tailings

Williams, D. J., Morris, P. H. and Carter, J. P. (1991). Two-dimensional finite element analysis of a trial embankment on coal mine tailings. Computer methods and advances in geomechanics. Proc. 7th international conference, Cairns, 1991. Vol. 2, 1405-1410.

Two-dimensional finite element analysis of a trial embankment on coal mine tailings

1991

Journal Article

Reliability index versus safety factor for coal mine spoil pile stability

Williams, D. J., Zou, J. Z. and Graham, J. (1991). Reliability index versus safety factor for coal mine spoil pile stability. Slope stability engineering. Proc. international conference, Isle of Wight, 1991, 71-76.

Reliability index versus safety factor for coal mine spoil pile stability

1991

Journal Article

Developments in coal mine tailings disposal and rehabilitation

Williams, D. J. (1991). Developments in coal mine tailings disposal and rehabilitation. Queensland coal symposium, Brisbane, 1991, 169-175.

Developments in coal mine tailings disposal and rehabilitation

1991

Journal Article

Micro-aggregate growth in a clay undergoing drying

Sibley, J. W., Williams, David J. and Tyack, M. T. (1991). Micro-aggregate growth in a clay undergoing drying. Soil Science, 151 (5), 343-349. doi: 10.1097/00010694-199105000-00003

Micro-aggregate growth in a clay undergoing drying

1991

Journal Article

Use of back-analysis to confirm soil parameters

Williams, D. J. and Tanaka, Y. (1991). Use of back-analysis to confirm soil parameters. Computer methods and advances in geomechanics. Proc. 7th international conference, Cairns, 1991. Vol. 2, 1047-1052.

Use of back-analysis to confirm soil parameters

1991

Conference Publication

Factors influencing calibration of neutron moisture gauges

Morris P.H. and Williams D.J. (1991). Factors influencing calibration of neutron moisture gauges. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Field Measurements in Geomechanics, Oslo, Norw, September 9, 1991-September 11, 1991. Publ by A.A. Balkema.

Factors influencing calibration of neutron moisture gauges

1991

Journal Article

Numerical analysis of self-weight consolidation of coal mine tailings slurry in a large settling column

Williams, D. J. and Li, H. Y. (1991). Numerical analysis of self-weight consolidation of coal mine tailings slurry in a large settling column. Computer methods and advances in geomechanics. Proc. 7th international conference, Cairns, 1991. Vol. 2, 1399-1404.

Numerical analysis of self-weight consolidation of coal mine tailings slurry in a large settling column

1991

Conference Publication

Developments in coal mine tailings disposal and rehabilitation

Williams D.J. (1991). Developments in coal mine tailings disposal and rehabilitation. Queensland Coal Symposium, Brisbane, Aust, August 29, 1991-August 30, 1991.

Developments in coal mine tailings disposal and rehabilitation

1990

Journal Article

New filter material for measuring soil suction

Sibley, John W. and Williams, David J. (1990). New filter material for measuring soil suction. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 13 (4), 381-384.

New filter material for measuring soil suction

1990

Journal Article

Suction-moisture content calibration of filter papers from different boxes

Sibley, J. W., Smyth, G. and Williams, D. J. (1990). Suction-moisture content calibration of filter papers from different boxes. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 13 (3), 257-262.

Suction-moisture content calibration of filter papers from different boxes

1990

Journal Article

Generalized calibration of a nuclear moisture/density depth gauge

Morris, Peter H. and Williams, David J. (1990). Generalized calibration of a nuclear moisture/density depth gauge. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 13 (1), 24-35.

Generalized calibration of a nuclear moisture/density depth gauge

1990

Journal Article

Sample size selection for laboratory calibration of subsurface neutron moisture gauges

Morris, Peter H. and Williams, David J. (1990). Sample size selection for laboratory calibration of subsurface neutron moisture gauges. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 14 (1), 71-77.

Sample size selection for laboratory calibration of subsurface neutron moisture gauges

1990

Journal Article

A new filter material for measuring soil suction

Sibley, J. W and Williams, David J. (1990). A new filter material for measuring soil suction. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 13 (4), 381-383.

A new filter material for measuring soil suction

1990

Conference Publication

Coal mine tailings disposal alternatives

Williams D.J. (1990). Coal mine tailings disposal alternatives. Coal Handling and Utilization Conference 1990, Sydney, Aust, June 19, 1990-June 21, 1990. Publ by IE Aust.

Coal mine tailings disposal alternatives

1990

Journal Article

Generalised calibration for the nuclear moisture/density gauge

Morris, Peter H. and Williams, David J. (1990). Generalised calibration for the nuclear moisture/density gauge. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 13 (1), 24-35. doi: 10.1520/GTJ10143J

Generalised calibration for the nuclear moisture/density gauge

1989

Journal Article

Comparison of Two Models for Subaerial Deposition of Mine Tailings Slurry

Williams, D. J. and Morris, P. H. (1989). Comparison of Two Models for Subaerial Deposition of Mine Tailings Slurry. Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Section A - Mining Industry, 98 (May-Aug), A73-A77.

Comparison of Two Models for Subaerial Deposition of Mine Tailings Slurry

1989

Journal Article

Geotechnical input to a major bridge project

Williams, David J. (1989). Geotechnical input to a major bridge project. Journal Geotechnical Engineering Division, GT115 (3), 322-339.

Geotechnical input to a major bridge project

1989

Journal Article

A procedure for determining volumetric shrinkage of an unsaturated soil

Sibley, J. W. and Williams, David J. (1989). A procedure for determining volumetric shrinkage of an unsaturated soil. Geotechnical Testing Journal, 12 (3), 181-187. doi: 10.1520/GTJ10966J

A procedure for determining volumetric shrinkage of an unsaturated soil

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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