Experimental study on chemical activation of recycled powder as a cementitious material in mine paste backfilling

To improve the utilization rate of construction waste as mine backfilling materials, this paper investigated the feasibility of using recycled powder as mine paste backfilling cementitious material, and studied the pozzolanic activity of recycled construction waste powder. In this study, alkali-calcium-sulfur served as the activation principle and an orthogonal test plan was performed to analyze the impact of the early strength agent, quick lime, and gypsum on the pozzolanic activity of the recycled powder. Our results indicated that in descending order, early strength agent > quick lime > gypsum affected the strength of the backfilling paste with recycled powder as a cementitious material during early phases. The strength during late phases was affected by, in descending order, quick lime > gypsum > early strength agent. Using setting time and early compressive strength as an analysis index as well as an extreme difference analysis, it was found that the optimal ratio of recycled powder cementitious material for mine paste backfilling was recycled powder:quick lime:gypsum:early strength agent at 78%:10%:8%:4%. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscope were used to show that the hydration products of recycled powder cementitious material at the initial stages were mainly CH and ettringite. As hydration time increased, more and more recycled powder was activated. It mainly became calcium silicate hydrate, calcium aluminate hydrate, etc. In summary, recycled powder exhibited potential pozzolanic activities. When activated, it could replace cementitious materials to be used in mine backfill.