Utilization of mine tailings as road base material

Saeed Ahmari, Rui Chen, Lianyang Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, a preliminary study is performed on utilization of copper mine tailings as road base material through geopolymerization. The mine tailings studied is from a copper mine in Arizona, USA and contains mainly silica, alumina and calcium. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution is used as the alkaline geopolymerization agent. Unconfined compression tests are conducted on compacted mine tailings specimens prepared at different NaOH content and cured for different time at room temperature to measure their unconfined compressive strength (UCS). The results show that when an appropriate amount NaOH is used, the strength of compacted mine tailings can be improved. Based on this preliminary study, it can be concluded that mine tailings are a promising road base material if the geopolymerization technology is utilized.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeoCongress 2012
Subtitle of host publicationState of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering
Pages3654-3661
Number of pages8
Edition225 GSP
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventGeoCongress 2012: State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering - Oakland, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 25 2012Mar 29 2012

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
Number225 GSP
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Other

OtherGeoCongress 2012: State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOakland, CA
Period3/25/123/29/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Utilization of mine tailings as road base material'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this