Strength behavior and deformability characteristics of paste backfill with the addition of recycled rubber

ABSTRACT

This study aims to research the implications of rubber powder utilisation, from tires recycling, in the deformability and strength properties of CPB. In the end, it will be concluded that mine paste backfill with recycled rubber materials contributes to the decrease of waste tire pollution and improve some mechanical properties of the filling body. For that purpose, tests were carried out to determine the uniaxial compressive strength, the elastic energy of deformation, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio in specimens made up of mine tailings, Portland cement, wastewater, rubber powder, and plasticisers. The analysis of experimental data determines that recycled rubber makes fresh slurry have better performance in flow characteristics. In the hardened state, recycled rubber reduces the uniaxial compressive strength of the specimens and Poisson’s ratio, but other features like deformability increase (Young’s modulus decrease) that enhance the ability to absorb elastic strain energy of the filling body. As a result, the study indicates that recycled rubber is applicable to rockburst prevention. The findings of this study provide both invaluable information and industrial applications for the efficient management of solid waste, based on sustainable development and circular economy.

KEYWORDS:

• Cemented Paste Backfill
• recycled rubber
• rockburst
• strain energy storage index

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (CERENA), China Scholarship Council (CSC), and University of Lisbon. Moreover, the authors would like to thank Zlatko Martic, Global Technical Manager Mine Backfill from Master Builders Solutions for providing the product A, B. Biogoma for providing the rubber.

Disclosure statement

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