Properties and Microstructure of Ceramsite Prepared from Xixiayuan Reservoir Sediment

Abstract The Sediment problem is the key difficulty in the treatment of the Yellow River. The Sediment in the Yellow River can be used as a substitute for clay and shale soil in the preparation of ceramsite, which is of great significance for the protection of arable land, and mountain areas, and exploring new models of silt resource utilization, meanwhile promoting high-quality regional social development. This article systematically reveals the effects of inorganic foaming agent types, dosages, calcination temperature, and calcination time on the properties and microstructure of ceramsite prepared from the Xixiayuan Reservoir Sediment. The results can provide scientific support for the multi-channel utilization of dredged sediment in the Xixiayuan Reservoir. The study shows that: ① The optimal mix ratio for the preparation of ceramsite from the Xixiayuan Reservoir is 75% sediment, 5% basalt, 10% CaCO 3 , 5% MnO 2 , and 5% sawdust. The optimal calcination temperature is 1110°C, and the calcination time is 10 minutes. ② The main mineral components of ceramsite are quartz, feldspar, calcite, hematite, and magnetite. After heat treatment progresses, the absorption peaks and intensities of functional groups such as CO 3 2− and Si-OH in ceramsite blanks undergo significant changes. ④ The bulk density of ceramsite is 833 kg/m 3 . The barrel pressure strength is 13.55 MPa. The water absorption rate is 3.90%. The softening coefficient is 0.98. The mass loss rate after 15 freeze-thaw cycles is 1.08%, and the boiling loss amount is 0.08%. It belongs to the GB 900 density level lightweight and high-strength ceramsite, which can be used in construction as structural concrete or high-strength concrete with load-bearing functions.