Production and evaluation of microconcretes with iron ore tailings to produce construction components

ABSTRACT

The Minas Gerais state is the largest producer of iron ore and, as a result, iron ore tailings (IOT) of Brazil. This activity has a great environmental impact and it is currently the subject of political and social discussions in Brazil, due to disasters with disruption of mining dams that occurred in the cities of Mariana (2015) and Brumadinho (2019), both cities of Minas Gerais. These events bring into discussion the currents methods of IOT disposal and highlight the possibility of a more sustainable use of mining tailings. One of the sustainable alternatives is the use of IOT as an input in the manufacture of civil construction components. In this way, this paper aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using iron ore tailing as fine aggregate in microconcretes for the production of hollow elements (brick vents). Thus, the IOT was characterized through physical and chemical tests. The dosage of microconcrete was performed based on ABCP method with fc28= 25 MPa and the slump test between 80 e 100mm. For the mechanical analysis of the microconcrete, cylindrical specimens (10x20cm) were molded and tests were executed on them, such as compression and flexure strength, water absorption and void ratio. after 28 days curing. To obtain durability parameters, was performed natural carbonation tests at 60, 120 and 180 days, accelerated carbonation tests at 28 and 56 days (CO₂ content = 5%; relative humidity (RH) = 65%), and acid attack test (H₂SO₄ solution content = 5%). The research indicates the feasibility of replacing of the fine aggregate by IOT in the production of microconcretes for hollow elements (brick vents) confection without prejudice to its durability.

Keywords
Microconcrete; Iron ore tailing; Construction components; Durability; Sustainability; Brick vents