Effect of submerged curing on properties of cemented paste backfill

ABSTRACT

Mine stopes are often characterised by near-saturate conditions from constant water inflow from the ore body. Although significant research has been conducted on mechanical properties of cemented paste backfill, there are limited studies on curing practices that reflect saturate conditions. This study examines the effects of submerged curing to simulate saturate conditions. The results indicate that observed dark grey colouration associated with submerged curing is similar to ‘greening effect’ observed in concrete material containing Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag. Our study indicates that submerged curing has limited adverse material effects and is effective in simulating near-saturated conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Submerged curing
• greening effect
• cemented paste backfill
• petrographic microscopy

Acknowledgments

The research methodology stems from the advanced microscopy course at the University of Toronto CIV1262: Microscopy Applied to Building and Geomaterials. We would also like to thank Professor Karl Peterson and Ekaterina Ossetchkina for their expertise assistance with the analysis and interpretation and Alistair Mascarenhas for lab support. We would like to acknowledge Agnico Eagle Mines for provision of materials and insights into mining practices.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mitechs Accelerated Program; Agnico Eagle Mines; Queen Elizabeth II: Paul and Suzana Price Scholarship in Science and Technology Award.