JARDJournal of Architectural Research and Development2208-35292208-3537Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/jard.v9i2.10130ArticleThe Influence of Coal Gangue Particle Gradation on the Performance of Inorganic Foamed Paste Backfill Materialshttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JARD/9/2/10.26689/jard.v9i2.10130FuChonghui,WangChunwei,ZhangFengshun,ChaiHucheng,ZhaoLiya,GuanXuemao,ZhuJianping,ZhangHaibo2025922025-04-04The issue of top contact in paste backfill materials is a common technical challenge in coal mine filling processes, and overcoming this problem has become a significant research direction in current studies and engineering practices. This paper utilizes coal gangue as aggregate and hydrogen peroxide as a foaming agent to prepare foamed paste backfill materials. Three close-packing theories were employed to investigate the effects of different coal gangue particle gradations on the mechanical properties, expansion ratio, water absorption, and dry density of foamed paste backfill materials under the same foaming agent content. The hydration mechanism and pore structure evolution were analyzed using XRD, SEM, and OSM techniques. The results indicate that when the hydrogen peroxide addition is 5%, the foamed paste backfill material regulated by MAA gradation theory exhibits the best comprehensive performance, achieving a 28-day compressive strength of 0.89 MPa, an expansion ratio of 155.5%, and a dry density of 1.24 g/cm3. The regulation of coal gangue aggregate particle gradation not only improves the foaming efficiency but also allows the formation of CH to fill the material pores, enhancing the overall structural support capacity and forming a closer microstructure. This research provides new insights into controlling the properties of foamed paste backfill materials.

Song G, Du K, Zhang Y, et al., 2023, Study of the Overlying Strata Movement Law for Paste-Filling Longwall Fully Mechanized in Gaohe Coal Mine. Applied Sciences, 13(14): 8017.

Du Z, Chen D, Li X, et al., 2024, Study on the Partial Paste Backfill Mining Method in a Fully Mechanized Top-Coal Caving Face: Case Study from a Coal Mine, China. Sustainability, 16(11): 4393.

Hu Y, Hu R, Zhang B, et al., 2024, Research on Mechanical Properties and Mix Proportion Design of Solid Waste-Based Cemented Paste Backfill. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 21: e03618.

Wang H, Chen D, Guo R, et al., 2023, A Preliminary Study on the Improvement of Gangue/Tailing Cemented Fill by Bentonite: Flow Properties, Mechanical Properties and Permeability. Materials, 16(20): 6802.

Li L, Huang Q, Zuo X, et al., 2022, Study on the Slurry Diffusion Law of Fluidized Filling Gangue in the Caving Goaf of Thick Coal Seam Fully Mechanized Caving Mining. Energies, 15(21): 8164.

Wu P, Zhao J, Jin J, 2023, Similar Simulation of Overburden Movement Characteristics under Paste Filling Mining Conditions. Scientific Reports, 13(1): 12550.

Hou C, Zhu W, Yan B, et al., 2018, Influence of Binder Content on Temperature and Internal Strain Evolution of Early Age Cemented Tailings Backfill. Construction and Building Materials, 189: 585–593.

Yang L, Yilmaz E, Li J, et al., 2018, Effect of Superplasticizer Type and Dosage on Fluidity and Strength Behavior of Cemented Tailings Backfill with Different Solid Contents. Construction and Building Materials, 187: 290–298.

Wang Y, Fall M, Wu A, 2016, Initial Temperature-Dependence of Strength Development and Self-Desiccation in Cemented Paste Backfill that Contains Sodium Silicate. Cement and Concrete Composites, 67: 101–110.

Emad MZ, Mitri H, Kelly C, 2018, Dynamic Model Validation Using Blast Vibration Monitoring in Mine Backfill. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 107: 48–54.

Yin S, Yan Z, Chen X, et al., 2022, Effect of Fly-Ash as Fine Aggregate on the Workability and Mechanical Properties of Cemented Paste Backfill. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 16: e01039.

Wang B, Yang L, Li Q, et al., 2024, Mechanical Behavior, Acoustic Emission and Principal Strain Field Evolution Properties of Layered Cemented Paste Backfill under Unconfined Compression. Construction and Building Materials, 415: 135111.

Xu B, Li Y, Li J, et al., 2024, Nonlinear Stress Growth and Failure Characteristics of Gangue-Cemented Backfill. Construction and Building Materials, 424: 135938.

Wang Z, Wu A, Wang S, et al., 2024, Effect and Mechanism of Time-Dependent and Economical Expansion Materials in Improving the Active Roof-Contact for Cemented Paste Backfill. Construction and Building Materials, 439: 137339.

Li Q, Wang B, Wei Z, et al., 2024, Experiment and Numerical Simulation Study of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Modified Cemented Ultrafine Tailings Filling Slurry: Rheology, Fluidity, and Flow Properties in Pipeline. Construction and Building Materials, 438: 137041.

Yunpeng K, Guangbo L, Zepu S, et al., 2024, Experimental Study on the Evolutive Shear Fracture Behaviour and Properties of Cemented Paste Backfill. Construction and Building Materials, 423: 135780.

Zhang C, Wang J, Song W, et al., 2024, Study on Shear Behavior and Microstructure of Rock and Cemented Paste Backfill Interface. Construction and Building Materials, 443: 137834.

Hefni M, Hassani F, 2020, Experimental Development of a Novel Mine Backfill Material: Foam Mine Fill. Minerals, 10(6): 564.

Li MY, Guo LJ, Zhao Y, et al., 2024, A State-of-the-Art Review on Delayed Expansion of Cemented Paste Backfill Materials. Rare Metals, 43(8): 3475–3500.

Kouame KJA, Feng Y, Jiang F, et al., 2015, A Study of Technical Measures for Increasing the Roof-Contacted Ratio in Stope and Cavity Filling. Journal of Materials Science Research, 5(1): 54–60.

Ercikdi B, Cihangir F, Kesimal A, et al., 2010, Utilization of Water-Reducing Admixtures in Cemented Paste Backfill of Sulphide-Rich Mill Tailings. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 179(1): 940–946.

Koohestani B, Belem T, Koubaa A, et al., 2016, Experimental Investigation into the Compressive Strength Development of Cemented Paste Backfill Containing Nano-Silica. Cement and Concrete Composites, 72: 180–189.

Fall M, Pokharel M, 2010, Coupled Effects of Sulphate and Temperature on the Strength Development of Cemented Tailings Backfills: Portland Cement-Paste Backfill. Cement and Concrete Composites, 32(10): 819–828.

Ngo I, Ma LQ, Zhao ZY, et al., 2024, Sol–Gel-Stabilized CO2 Foam for Enhanced In-Situ Carbonation in Foamed Fly Ash Backfill Materials. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 10(1): 80.

Xu XCA, Sun XG, Yao W, et al., 2021, Strength and Ultrasonic Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill Incorporating Foaming Agent. MINERALS, 11(7): 681.

Li H, Wang H, Bai L, 2024, Effect of Coal Gangue Grading Characteristics on Cemented Paste Backfill Rheology. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 21: e03694.

Fuller WB, Thompson SEJ, 1907, THE LAWS OF PROPORTIONING CONCRETE. 59: 67–143.

Xiang JC, Liu LP, Cui XM, et al., 2019, Effect of Fuller-Fine Sand on Rheological, Drying Shrinkage, and Microstructural Properties of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Grouting Materials. Cement and Concrete Composites, 104: 103381.

Yu R, Spiesz P, Brouwers HJH, 2014, Mix Design and Properties Assessment of Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). Cement and Concrete Research, 56: 29–39.

Peng B, 2005, Gradation Design Method Based on Method of i Change. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology(Transportation Science and Engineering), 29(5) 751–754.

Xiang G, Song D, Li H, et al., 2023, Investigation on Preparation and Compressive Strength Model of Steel Slag Foam Concrete. Journal of Building Engineering, 72: 106548.

Han S, Zhang P, Zhang H, et al., 2023, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Foamed Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregates. Frontiers in Materials, 10: 01–14.

Ni K, Shi Y, Hu Z, et al., 2020, Effect of Coal Gangue Grain Size on Strength of Foam Concrete. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1635(1): 012080.

Wei H, Liu Y, Wu T, et al., 2020, Effect of Aggregate Size on Strength Characteristics of High Strength Lightweight Concrete. Materials, 13(6): 1314.

Chung SY, Abd Elrahman M, Kim JS, et al., 2019, Comparison of Lightweight Aggregate and Foamed Concrete with the Same Density Level Using Image-Based Characterizations. Construction and Building Materials, 211: 988–999.

Abd Elrahman M, El Madawy ME, Chung SY, et al., 2019, Preparation and Characterization of Ultra-Lightweight Foamed Concrete Incorporating Lightweight Aggregates. Applied Sciences, 9(7): 1447.

Deboucha W, Leklou N, Khelidj A, et al., 2017, Hydration Development of Mineral Additives Blended Cement Using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): Methodology of Calculating the Degree of Hydration. Construction and Building Materials, 146: 687–701.

Fordham CJ, Smalley IJ, 1985, A Simple Thermogravimetric Study of Hydrated Cement. Cement and Concrete Research, 15(1): 141–144.

Carriço A, Real S, Bogas JA, et al., 2020, Mortars with Thermo Activated Recycled Cement: Fresh and Mechanical Characterisation. Construction and Building Materials, 256: 119502.

Romano RCdO, Bernardo HM, Maciel MH, et al., 2019, Using Isothermal Calorimetry, X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetry and FTIR to Monitor the Hydration Reaction of Portland Cements Associated with Red Mud as a Supplementary Material. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 137(6): 1877–1890.

Jin J, Li M, Liu T, et al., 2024, Insights into Factors Influencing Coal Gangue-Filled Backfill Cemented by Self-Consolidating Alkali-Activated Slag Grouts. Construction and Building Materials, 411: 134422.

Hu N, Liu Y, Ke L, et al., 2023, Preparation and Frothing Mechanism of Froth Concrete Based on Solid Waste: A Review. Construction and Building Materials, 401: 132831.

Hou L, Li J, Lu Z, et al., 2021, Influence of Foaming Agent on Cement and Foam Concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 280: 122399.