Study on the Rheological Properties and Microstructural Evolution Mechanism of Multicomponent Solid Waste Cementitious Slurry

TL;DR

This study improves solid waste cement slurry by optimizing its flow and strength using iron tailings, slag, and desulfurization ash.

Contribution

The novel contribution is the systematic investigation of steel slag and desulfurization ash's synergistic effects on slurry properties.

Findings

A mix with 20% steel slag and desulfurization ash achieved 5.90 MPa compressive strength and optimal rheological properties.

Desulfurization ash reduced yield stress by 38% and improved flowability through structural changes.

Steel slag enhanced stability and hydration regulation while slightly increasing yield stress.

Abstract

To enhance the rheological properties and engineering applicability of fully solid waste filling slurry, this study uses iron tailings sand as aggregate and slag, steel slag, and desulfurization ash as cementing materials. Through a central composite design experiment, the synergistic regulatory effects of steel slag (10~30%) and desulfurization ash (10~30%) on the slurry’s rheological and strength properties were systematically investigated. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of the slurry were quantified based on the Bingham fluid model, using expansion tests and L-tube models, while isothermal calorimetry analysis and microscopic image processing revealed the underlying micro-mechanisms. The results show that when both steel slag and desulfurization ash contents are 20%, the cured specimen prepared from the slurry achieves an optimal 28-day uniaxial compressive strength of 5.90 MPa at 28 days, with yield stress and plastic viscosity of 146.71 Pa and 3.04 Pa·s, respectively. Micro-mechanistic analysis revealed that desulfurization ash effectively reduced the yield stress by up to 38% (from 196.04 Pa to 90.01 Pa) and increased the fractal dimension of flocculated structures to 1.906, thereby optimizing initial flowability. Conversely, steel slag increased the yield stress but decreased plastic viscosity, enhancing structural stability, and regulating the later hydration process. The loop tests confirmed the good transport performance and engineering adaptability of the optimized mix, achieving a cost reduction of up to 65% compared to cement-based systems.

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