Rheological and mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced cemented paste and foam backfill

ABSTRACT

The properties of fibre-reinforced cemented paste backfill (CPB) and foam backfill (FB) were investigated through bench-scale vane viscometer, mini-slump and compression tests. Samples of CPB (no air entrained) and FB (10, 20, 30, and 40% air by volume) were made with four concentrations of sisal, basalt, or Nanofibrillated cellulose fibres (0, 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8%). The results show that air entrainment decreased the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and yield stress of FB, while the addition of the three types of fibre helped to compensate the UCS and built stronger internal bonds and sound structures, which led to different failure characteristics.

KEYWORDS:

• Foam backfill
• fibre reinforcement
• rheological properties
• compressive strength
• deformation characteristics
• failure mode

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the financial support of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The contribution of Vatne Concrete Systems Ltd Canadian Distributor of Stable Air® is very much appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under Grant NSERC RGPIN 2016-03715.