Effect of Iron Ore Tailing on the Properties of Concrete

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of iron ore tailing (IOT) as fine aggregate replacement of sand (RS) for concrete used for rigid pavement. The use of iron ore tailing (IOT) from Itakpe mines near Okene in north-central Kogi state of Nigeria will ensure economy in concrete production as well as a better way of disposing the tailing. Mix design was carried out for concrete of grade 35 using standard practice for selecting proportions for normal weight, and mass concrete [ACI 211.1-91, 1997]. The constituent materials were batched by weight. The mix with only sand as fine aggregate served as the control mix, while sand was replaced in the other mixes by 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% iron ore tailing (IOT). Consistency and Strength test were conducted on both concrete specimens. It was observed that concrete workability reduced with increase in the percentage of iron ore tailing in the mix. Twenty-eight (28) days compressive strength and indirect tensile strength values of 43.67N/mm² and 2.69N/mm² respectively, were obtained for concrete when 20% iron ore tailing (IOT) was used, Values comparable to 28days compressive strength and indirect tensile strength values of 45.02N/mm² and 2.64N/mm² respectively, obtained using only sand as fine aggregate.

Keywords: concrete; sand (RS); iron ore tailing (IOT); compressive and tensile strength.