Sorptivity of concrete containing iron ore tailings

Abstract

Sustainability of the construction industry is a challenge to every concerned civili Engineering professional. Iron ore tailings is an industrial waste derived from the production process of iron ore. This study consider the possibility of using this waste for making concrete. The tailings was combined with sand in varying proportion as fine aggregate in concrete. One control sample with no tailings and four others incorporating tailings at varying percentage as partial replacement for sand were used for the experimental program. The physical and microscopic properties of the tailings were compared with those of sand. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the hardened concrete were also studied. The outcomes of experimental tests shows that the tailings increased the denseness of concrete matrix and improved the water resistance of the concrete.