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)

101 - 120 of 416 works

2017

Journal Article

Development and application of sustainability models for unsealed road pavements

Van Wijk, Ian, Williams, David J. and Serati, Mehdi (2017). Development and application of sustainability models for unsealed road pavements. Transportation Research Record, 2657 (2657), 89-98. doi: 10.3141/2657-10

Development and application of sustainability models for unsealed road pavements

2017

Conference Publication

Investigation of shear strength and breakdown of mine waste rock

Xu, Youwei, Williams, David and Serati, Mehdi (2017). Investigation of shear strength and breakdown of mine waste rock. 51st US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, CA United States, 25-28 June 2017. San Francisco, California, USA: ARMA.

Investigation of shear strength and breakdown of mine waste rock

2017

Conference Publication

Determination of thermal conductivity of soil using standard cone penetration test

Lines, Scott, Williams, David J. and Galindo-Torres, Sergio A. (2017). Determination of thermal conductivity of soil using standard cone penetration test. 2nd International Conference on Advances on Clean Energy Research, ICACER 2017, Berlin, Germany, 7 - 9 April 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.07.036

Determination of thermal conductivity of soil using standard cone penetration test

2017

Conference Publication

Geotechnical characterisation of neutralised red mud for use in civil engineering construction and manufacturing

Quintero Olaya, Sebastian, Williams, David J., del Pilar Durante Ingunza, Maria and Serati, Mehdi (2017). Geotechnical characterisation of neutralised red mud for use in civil engineering construction and manufacturing. The 32nd International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19-22 March 2017. Chester, PA United States: The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management.

Geotechnical characterisation of neutralised red mud for use in civil engineering construction and manufacturing

2017

Conference Publication

Modified Brazilian test for indirect measurement of tensile strength of brittle materials

Serati, Mehdi, Masoumi, Hossein, Williams, David J. and Alehossein, Habib (2017). Modified Brazilian test for indirect measurement of tensile strength of brittle materials. ARMA 2017: 51st U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, CA, United States, 25-28 June 2017. Alexandria, VA, United States: ARMA.

Modified Brazilian test for indirect measurement of tensile strength of brittle materials

2016

Journal Article

Development of optimum pavement maintenance strategies for a road network

Khan, Misbah U., Mesbah, Mahmoud, Ferreira, Luis and Williams, David J. (2016). Development of optimum pavement maintenance strategies for a road network. Australian Journal of Civil Engineering, 14 (2), 85-96. doi: 10.1080/14488353.2017.1362823

Development of optimum pavement maintenance strategies for a road network

2016

Journal Article

Experimental investigation of fracture process zone in rocks damaged under cyclic loadings

Ghamgosar, M., Erarslan, N. and Williams, D. J. (2016). Experimental investigation of fracture process zone in rocks damaged under cyclic loadings. Experimental Mechanics, 57 (1), 1-17. doi: 10.1007/s11340-016-0216-4

Experimental investigation of fracture process zone in rocks damaged under cyclic loadings

2016

Journal Article

Probabilistic reliability analysis of multiple slopes with genetic algorithms

Tun, Ye W., Pedroso, Dorival M., Scheuermann, Alexander and Williams, David J. (2016). Probabilistic reliability analysis of multiple slopes with genetic algorithms. Computers and Geotechnics, 77, 68-76. doi: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.04.006

Probabilistic reliability analysis of multiple slopes with genetic algorithms

2016

Journal Article

Measuring free ellagic acid: influence of extraction conditions on recovery by studying solubility and UV-Visible spectra

Williams, David J., Edwards, David, Chaliha, Mridusmita and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Measuring free ellagic acid: influence of extraction conditions on recovery by studying solubility and UV-Visible spectra. Chemical Papers, 70 (8), 1078-1086. doi: 10.1515/chempap-2016-0038

Measuring free ellagic acid: influence of extraction conditions on recovery by studying solubility and UV-Visible spectra

2016

Journal Article

Radio to microwave dielectric characterisation of constitutive electromagnetic soil properties using vector network analyses

Schwing, M., Wagner, N., Karlovsek, J., Chen, Z., Williams, D. J. and Scheuermann, A. (2016). Radio to microwave dielectric characterisation of constitutive electromagnetic soil properties using vector network analyses. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 13 (2) S28, S28-S38. doi: 10.1088/1742-2132/13/2/S28

Radio to microwave dielectric characterisation of constitutive electromagnetic soil properties using vector network analyses

2016

Journal Article

Dielectric measurement method for real-time monitoring of initial hardening of backfill materials used for underground construction

Karlovsek, Jurij, Schwing, Moritz, Chen, Zhen, Wagner, Norman, Williams, David J. and Scheuermann, Alexander (2016). Dielectric measurement method for real-time monitoring of initial hardening of backfill materials used for underground construction. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 13 (2) S19, S19-S27. doi: 10.1088/1742-2132/13/2/S19

Dielectric measurement method for real-time monitoring of initial hardening of backfill materials used for underground construction

2016

Journal Article

Swelling properties of natural and modified bentonites by rheological description

Barast, Gilles, Razakamanantsoa, Andry-Rico, Djeran-Maigre, Irini, Nicholson, Timothy and Williams, David (2016). Swelling properties of natural and modified bentonites by rheological description. Applied Clay Science, 142, 60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.clay.2016.01.008

Swelling properties of natural and modified bentonites by rheological description

2016

Journal Article

Theoretical treatment of disc cutters subjected to general cutting forces

Serati, Mehdi, Alehossein, Habib and Williams, David J. (2016). Theoretical treatment of disc cutters subjected to general cutting forces. Journal of Engineering Mathematics, 100 (1), 1-25. doi: 10.1007/s10665-015-9839-1

Theoretical treatment of disc cutters subjected to general cutting forces

2016

Conference Publication

Analysis of Kennecott Utah Copper's Bingham Canyon Mine Pit Wall Slides

Llano-Serna, M. A., Williams, David J. and Ruest, M. R. (2016). Analysis of Kennecott Utah Copper's Bingham Canyon Mine Pit Wall Slides. Tailings and Mine Waste' 16, Keystone, Colorado, USA, 2-5 October 2016. Fort Collins Colorado, United States: Colorado State University.

Analysis of Kennecott Utah Copper's Bingham Canyon Mine Pit Wall Slides

2016

Book

Evaluating performance: Monitoring and auditing: Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry

Nichols, Owen, Coleman, Misha, Jones, David R., Unger, Corinne J., Donato, David, Pattenden, Catherine, Smith, Ross, Waggitt, Peter, Williams, David, Erskine, Peter, Brown, Graham, Pape, Sophie, Sandison, Rod, Bennett, Kate, Davies, Paul, Tucker, Claire and Thom, Victoria (2016). Evaluating performance: Monitoring and auditing: Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.

Evaluating performance: Monitoring and auditing: Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry

2016

Conference Publication

Interpretation of shear strength data for construction on mine tailings deposits

Williams, D. J. (2016). Interpretation of shear strength data for construction on mine tailings deposits. 5th International Conference on Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterisation (ISSMGE TC-102 – ISC’5), Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 5-9 September 2016. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Australian Geomechanics Society.

Interpretation of shear strength data for construction on mine tailings deposits

2016

Conference Publication

Hertzian contact damage in a hollow circular cylinder

Serati, M., Williams, D. J. and Erarslan, N. (2016). Hertzian contact damage in a hollow circular cylinder. EUROCK2016, International Symposium of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), Ürgüp-Nevşehir, Cappadocia, Turkey, 29-31 August 2016. Leiden, The Netherlands: CRC Press/Balkema. doi: 10.1201/9781315388502-12

Hertzian contact damage in a hollow circular cylinder

2016

Conference Publication

Mine site rehabilitation - are we reinventing the wrong wheel?

Williams, D. J. (2016). Mine site rehabilitation - are we reinventing the wrong wheel?. Mine Closure 2016, Perth, WA, Australia, 15-17 March 2016. Perth, WA, Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).

Mine site rehabilitation - are we reinventing the wrong wheel?

2016

Journal Article

Effects of saline coal seam gas water on consistency limits, compaction characteristics and hydraulic conductivities of clays used for liners

Indrawan, I. G. B., Williams, D. J. and Scheuermann, A. (2016). Effects of saline coal seam gas water on consistency limits, compaction characteristics and hydraulic conductivities of clays used for liners. Engineering Geology Special Publication, 27 (1), 227-237. doi: 10.1144/EGSP27.20

Effects of saline coal seam gas water on consistency limits, compaction characteristics and hydraulic conductivities of clays used for liners

2016

Conference Publication

Hertzian contact damage in a hollow circular cylinder

Serati, M., Williams, D. J. and Erarslan, N. (2016). Hertzian contact damage in a hollow circular cylinder. ISRM International Symposium (EUROCK 2016), Ürgüp-Nevşehir, Cappadocia, Turkey, 29-31 August 2016. International Society for Rock Mechanics. doi: 10.1201/9781315388502-71

Hertzian contact damage in a hollow circular cylinder

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Williams is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

    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

    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

  • 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

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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