Mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced geopolymer-cemented tailings used as backfill

Backfill materials are used in underground engineering to fill voids and buried excavated parts. In this study, solid waste was utilised as a raw material mixed with different amounts of polypropylene fibres to determine the optimal sodium hydroxide content, water-solid ratio, and fibre content. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the produced backfill materials was measured, and the interfacial structures were analysed via scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of the backfill materials were influenced in the order sodium hydroxide doping > water-solid ratio > fibre doping. The optimal material composition corresponded to a sodium hydroxide content of 3%, water-solid ratio of 0.28, and fibre content of 5 ‰. The slag produced a C-S-H gel. Meanwhile, the fly ash and gangue contained large amounts of aluminium, which formed hydrated aluminosilicates. The addition of polypropylene fibres reduced the number of internal defects in the backfill structure and increased the UCS.