|Table of Contents|

Feasibility and environmental impact assessment of copper tailings as asphalt mixture filler(PDF)

长安大学学报（自然科学版）[ISSN:1006-6977/CN:61-1281/TN]

Issue:
2025年03期
Page:
17-25
Research Field:
道路工程
Publishing date:

Info

Title:
Feasibility and environmental impact assessment of copper tailings as asphalt mixture filler
Author(s):
QIAN Zhen-dong1;  XU Zi-jian1;  MIN Yi-tong1;  HU Bang-yan1; 2;  CAO Zheng3
(1. Intelligent Transportation System Research Center, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, Jiangsu, China; 2. College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, China; 3. Jiangxi Wantong Environmental Protection Materials Co., Ltd., Jiujiang 332100, Jiangxi, China)
Keywords:
road engineering;  copper tailings;  asphalt mastic;  asphalt mixture;  road performance;  heavy metal leaching
PACS:
U414
DOI:
10.19721/j.cnki.1671-8879.2025.03.002
Abstract:
To improve the solid waste utilization rate of copper tailings(CT), the feasibility of replacing the limestone powder(LP)with CT as an asphalt mixture filler was explored, and its potential environmental impacts were evaluated. The physical and chemical properties of CT were characterized. The asphalt mastics and asphalt mixtures were prepared based on five substitution rates(0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%)and three filler volume fractions(25%, 30% and 35%). The rheological properties of asphalt mastics were evaluated using temperature scanning tests. The road performance was verified through the rutting test, low-temperature bending beam test, freeze-thaw splitting test, and water immersion Marshall test. In addition, the environmental impact was assessed through the acid solution heavy metal leaching test. The research results show that compared to LP, CT has a smaller particle size and a specific surface area of 428 m2/kg, which is beneficial for enhancing the adhesion between the filler and the asphalt. However, the higher SiO2 content and hydrophilic coefficient in CT may decrease the water resistance of the asphalt mixture. As the substitution rate of CT increases, the complex modulus of the asphalt mastic significantly increases, especially in the 75% substitution rate and 30% volume fraction CT condition, where the complex modulus increases by 39%-62%, and the phase angle decreases. This indicates that CT can enhance the high-temperature stability and deformation resistance of the asphalt mastic. The rutting resistance of the CT asphalt mixture is 5% higher than that of the LP asphalt mixture. The maximum bending tensile strain at low temperature decreases by 3.0×10-4. The freeze-thaw splitting test strength decreases by an average of 6.5%, but all meet the road performance requirements. Additionally, the leaching rates of heavy metals such as Cu and Ba in CT are far below the specification requirements, and the environmental risk is negligible. Therefore, considering both the road performance and environmental factors, CT can be a substitute for natural mineral fillers.7 tabs, 9 figs, 30 refs.

References:

[1] 郭万进,吴明海,王 阳,等.我国铜矿尾矿资源化利用技术现状及进展[J].矿产综合利用,2023(5):127-134.
GUO Wan-jin, WU Ming-hai, WANG Yang, et al. Present situation and progress of resource utilization technology of copper tailings inChina[J]. Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, 2023(5): 127-134.
[2]ARUNACHALAM K P, AVUDAIAPPAN S, MAUREIRA N, et al. Innovative use of copper mine tailing as an additive in cement mortar[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 25: 2261-2274.
[3]VARGAS F, LOPEZ M, RIGAMONTI L. Environmental impacts evaluation of treated copper tailings as supplementary cementitious materials[J]. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2020, 160: 104890.
[4]CHEN C, LIU H, ZHANG Y, et al. Micro-assessment of heavy metal immobilization within alkali-activated copper tailings-slag geopolymer[J]. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2024, 149: 105510.
[5]AHMARI S, ZHANG L Y. Production of eco-friendly bricks from copper mine tailings through geopolymerization[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2012, 29: 323-331.
[6]OLUWASOLA E A, HAININ M R, AZIZ M M A. Evaluation of asphalt mixtures incorporating electric arc furnace steel slag and copper mine tailings for road construction[J]. Transportation Geotechnics, 2015, 2: 47-55.
[7]CHOUDHARY J, KUMAR B, GUPTA A. Effect of filler on the bitumen-aggregate adhesion in asphalt mix[J]. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 2020, 21(12): 1482-1490.
[8]CHOUDHARY J, KUMAR B, GUPTA A. Performance evaluation of asphalt concrete mixes having copper industry waste as filler[J]. Transportation Research Procedia, 2020, 48: 3656-3667.
[9]MOHD SHUKRY N A, ABDUL HASSAN N, ABDULLAH M E, et al. Influence of diatomite filler on rheological properties of porous asphalt mastic[J]. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 2020, 21(4): 428-436.
[10]CHENG Y C, MA H L, HUANG J P, et al. Performances comparison of mine filler asphalt mortar and diatomite asphalt mortar[J]. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2013, 361-363: 1861-1864.
[11]CHOUDHARY J, KUMAR B, GUPTA A. Application of waste materials as fillers in bituminous mixes[J]. Waste Management, 2018, 78: 417-425.
[12]SEGUI P, EL MAHDI SAFHI A, AMRANI M, et al. Mining wastes as road construction material: A review[J]. Minerals, 2023, 13(1): 90.
[13]吕 娜,李 笑,梁霄龙,等.3D打印铜尾矿砂混凝土的物理力学性能分析[J].金属矿山,2023(10): 253-258.
LYU Na, LI Xiao, LIANG Xiao-long, et al. Analysis of physical and mechanical properties of 3D printed copper tailings concrete[J]. Metal Mine, 2023(10): 253-258.
[14]CHEN Y, XU S B, TEBALDI G, et al. Role of mineral filler in asphalt mixture[J]. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 2022, 23(2): 247-286.
[15]裴建中,樊泽鹏,薛 斌,等.沥青路面材料的颗粒物质视域:理论、方法与进展[J].中国公路学报,2023,36(8): 121-136.
PEI Jian-zhong, FAN Ze-peng, XUE Bin, et al. Granular matter perspective of asphalt pavement materials: Theory, methodology and progress[J]. China Journal of Highway and Transport, 2023, 36(8): 121-136.
[16]XU W Y, QIU X, XIAO S L, et al. Molecular dynamic investigations on the adhesion behaviors of asphalt mastic-aggregate interface[J]. Materials, 2020, 13(22): 5061.
[17]ZHENG Y Q, CHEN S H, HUANG W K, et al. Principle analysis of the mix design and performance evaluation of the asphalt-filler volume equivalent substitution method[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 367: 130276.
[18]QIAN Z D, REN H S, WEI Y. Effect of aggregate gradation and morphology on porous asphalt mixture performance[J]. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2021, 33(5): 04021055.
[19]张吉哲,郭晨晨,苏春华,等.赤泥沥青混合料动态响应与水稳定性提升[J].长安大学学报(自然科学版),2021,41(5):11-22.
ZHANG Ji-zhe, GUO Chen-chen, SU Chun-hua, et al. Dynamic response and moisture stability improvement of red mud asphalt mixture[J]. Journal of Chang'an University(Natural Science Edition), 2021, 41(5): 11-22.
[20]LIU N, LIU L P, LI M C, et al. Effects of zeolite on rheological properties of asphalt materials and asphalt-filler interaction ability[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2023, 382: 131300.
[21]刘 刚,陈磊磊,钱振东,等.车辙深度对沥青路面结构性能影响性分析[J].振动与冲击,2021,40(24):36-40.
LIU Gang, CHEN Lei-lei, QIAN Zhen-dong, et al. Influence of rutting depth on asphalt pavement structure performance[J]. Journal of Vibration and Shock, 2021, 40(24): 36-40.
[22]HOU J P, MA X Y, CHEN H X, et al. A comparison of indices used to evaluate asphalt-filler interactions[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2022, 359: 129501.
[23]KUMLAI S, JITSANGIAM P, NIKRAZ H. Assessments of moisture damage resistance of asphalt concrete mixtures and asphalt mastic with various mineral fillers[J]. Transportation Engineering, 2022, 7: 100106.
[24]ZHENG D, QIAN Z D, LI P, et al. Performance evaluation of high-elasticity asphalt mixture containing inorganic nano-titanium dioxide for applications in high altitude regions[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 199: 594-600.
[25]FAHEEM A F, HINTZ C, BAHIA H U, et al. Influence of filler fractional voids on mastic and mixture performance[J]. Transportation Research Record, 2012, 2294(1): 74-80.
[26]陈 飞,张林艳,封基良,等.沥青混合料低温抗裂性能试验方法研究进展[J].材料导报,2021,35(增2):127-137.
CHEN Fei, ZHANG Lin-yan, FENG Ji-liang, et al. Research progress on test methods of asphalt mixture's low-temperature anti-cracking performance[J]. Materials Reports, 2021, 35(S2): 127-137.
[27]LEI B, LI X H, GUO Y P, et al. Recycling of copper tailing as filler material in asphalt paving mastic: A sustainable solution for mining waste recovery[J]. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2024, 20: e03237.
[28]MENG Y J, LAI J, FAN L P, et al. Recycling of the waste battery: Effect of waste battery on property of asphalt and environmental impact evaluation[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2023, 904: 166983.
[29]刘佳雯,李 辉,张恒基,等.粉末固废应用于透水沥青路面的浸出污染[J].长安大学学报(自然科学版),2022,42(3):71-78.
LIU Jia-wen, LI Hui, ZHANG Heng-ji, et al. Leachate pollution of porous asphalt pavement with fine solid waste fillers[J]. Journal of Chang'an University(Natural Science Edition), 2022, 42(3): 71-78.
[30]SUSANTO I, FRANSISCO S, FIRDAUS Y, et al. Utilization of tailing waste as aggregate for road pavement[J]. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2021, 802(1): 012020.

Memo

Memo:
-
Last Update: 2025-05-30