Durability and Environmental Performance of Alkali-Activated Tungsten Mine Waste Mud Mortars
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 22, Issue 9
Abstract
Some authors argue that new binders are needed to replace ordinary portland cement (OPC) for enhanced environmental and durability performance. Alkali-activated binders have emerged as an alternative to OPC binders, which seem to have superior durability and environmental impact. This paper report results of a research project on the development of alkali-activated binders using waste mud from a tungsten mine. Abrasion and acid resistance of two ordinary portland cement (OPC) strength class concrete mixtures (C20/25 and C30/37) and several tungsten mine waste mud (TMWM) mixtures were evaluated. Acid resistance was performed by submitting samples to solutions of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid, results of weight loss are reported. Abrasion resistance was assessed by the mass loss of cubic specimens when submitted to 1,000 rotations with the Los Angeles apparatus test machine. This study indicates that TMWM binders possess higher acid and abrasion resistance than OPC based concrete mixtures. The environmental assessment of the TMWM binders shows it can be considered an inert material which indicates that it could be used as a building material.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 22 • Issue 9 • September 2010
Pages: 897 - 904
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 15, 2009
Accepted: Jan 28, 2010
Published online: Aug 13, 2010
Published in print: Sep 2010
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