Abstract
The strength and consistency of cemented paste backfill (CPB) are of key concerns in the stope stability and cost control for underground mines. It is common practice to use additives, such as superplasticizer, to improve the performance of CPB. This study mainly focuses on the effects of superplasticizer on the hydration, consistency, and strength of CPB. In this study, a polynaphtalene sulfonate was used as the superplasticizer. The binder is a mix of 33.3% ordinary Portland cement and 66.7% fly ash. The CPB specimens with a tailings-binder ratio of 3:1 and a solid concentration of 70% were then tested by a low field nuclear magnetic resonance system after different hydration times. Effects of polynaphtalene sulfonate on the hydration, fluidity, and strength were investigated. Results showed that the polynaphtalene sulfonate has a strong influence on short-duration hydration, which may contribute to the strength increase of CPB. It has been demonstrated that the polynaphtalene sulfonate improved the fluidity of the CPB mixture. With the increased dosage of polynaphtalene sulfonate, the slump increased. It was also found that the polynaphtalene sulfonate dosage has a negligible effect on the 1 day (d) strength while it has a strengthening effect on the 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d strength of CPB specimens.
Highlights
Large amounts of mining tailings are deposited after useful minerals have been extracted by the ore processing plant
This paper presents the effects of superplasticizer on the hydration, consistency, and strength of cemented paste backfill (CPB)
A polynaphtalene sulfonate is used as a superplasticizer
Summary
Large amounts of mining tailings are deposited after useful minerals have been extracted by the ore processing plant. In China, 1.2 billion tons of mining tailings are deposited every year. These solid wastes do great harm to the environment, the mining tailings should be managed properly to protect the environment [1]. Some scholars suggested that one of the most valuable ways to re-use tailings is to generate cemented paste backfill (CPB) materials in underground mines [2]. CPB is the main method to fill the underground void spaces and support the open stopes. CPB has been widely employed in many mines around the world [3,4]
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