Experimental investigation of mechanical and microstructural properties of cemented paste backfill containing maple-wood filler

Published Date
15 September 2016, Vol.121:222–228, doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.05.118

Title 

Experimental investigation of mechanical and microstructural properties of cemented paste backfill containing maple-wood filler

• Author 

• Babak Koohestani ^a,b
• Ahmed Koubaa ^b
• Tikou Belem ^a,,
• Bruno Bussière ^a
• Hassan Bouzahzah ^a

• aResearch Institute in Mining and Environment (RIME), Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), 445 Boul. de l’Université, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 5E4, Canada
• bInstitute of Forest Research (IFR), Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), 445 Boul. de l’Université, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 5E4, Canada

Received 6 October 2015. Revised 5 May 2016. Accepted 19 May 2016. Available online 3 June 2016.

Abstract

This experimental study investigates the influence of maple-wood sawdust addition on the mechanical and microstructural properties of cemented paste backfill (CPB). Mechanical properties of CPB were determined by uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests and microstructural changes were evaluated by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Results indicate that the addition of 12.5% maple-wood sawdust (by dry mass of binder) improves the strength development of CPB specimens at later hydration age (91 curing days). However, at a higher maple-wood sawdust content of 14.5%, the UCS showed lower improvement. Moreover, MIP and SEM analysis results revealed that the 12.5% wood filler addition made the CPB material less porous and more compact by increasing the mineral content formed by cement hydration. The positive influence of maple-wood sawdust on CPB was associated with higher binder content (⩾5%) and mid- to long-term curing times (⩾56 days).

Keywords

• Mine tailings
• Maple-wood sawdust
• Binder
• Cemented paste backfill
• Compressive strength
• MIP
• Porosity
• SEM

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• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author.

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061816308546