*2.1.1 Materials*

The materials used in this study include IOT, sodium silicate solution (Na2Sio3), lime, GGBS and potable water. The mine tailings were received in a sizes ranging (<150 μm) from the Bellary mining area (BMM Ispat). The physical properties of the mine tailings are determined as per the standard (IS: 2720 (part 3 & 7). Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is a by-product of steel industry. GGBS can be used as a replacement for, or be blended with portland cement. When blended with Portland cement it is called Portland slag cement. Addition of GGBS has shown improvement in properties of the cement like resistance to chemical attack which results in improved durability of concrete mixtures. The chemical composition of IOT and GGBS is presented in **Table 1**. **Table 2** presents the physical properties of IOT. **Figure 1** shows SEM images of IOT and GGBS, respectively. As seen the IOT surface shows random distribution of irregular particles, while GGBS surface exhibited aggregates which might have happened due to surface kinetics. **Figures 2** and **3** show the XRD patterns of IOT and GGBS. XRD pattern of IOT shows the presence


**59**

**Figure 2.**

range of 3(SiO2):1(Na2O).

*XRD pattern of Iron ore tailing (IOT).*

*Utilization of Iron Ore Mines Waste as Civil Construction Material through Geopolymer Reactions*

of kaolinite and calcite in addition to the crystalline phase of hematite. XRD pattern of GGBS shows highly amorphous nature, which is effective to control the geopolymeric reaction. The lime used in this study was commercial grade and slaked in nature, and the purity was more than 96%. Sodium silicate used in this study was procured from a local sodium silicate manufacturer in liquid form in concentration

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81709*

MDD (g/cm3

*Physical properties of IOT and GGBS.*

*SEM micrograph (a) IOT, (b) GGBS.*

**Table 2.**

**Figure 1.**

Fineness modulus 1.8 Specific gravity 2.34 OMC (%) 9.8

Plastic limit (%) 16.56 Liquid limit (%) 26.1 Plasticity index (%) 9.54

) 2.14

#### **Table 1.**

*Chemical composition of IOT & GGBS.*

*Utilization of Iron Ore Mines Waste as Civil Construction Material through Geopolymer Reactions DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81709*


#### **Table 2.**

*Geopolymers and Other Geosynthetics*

properties are determined.

**2.1 Experimental**

*2.1.1 Materials*

**2. Part A: case study with BMM Ispat iron ore mines**

It is envisaged, that this will lead to a number of reaction products and the type and number of these products will be dependent on the experimental conditions and, more importantly, depending on the form of calcium present. It is anticipated that likely products to be formed will be calcium silicate hydrate and aluminum silicate geopolymers. Also the isomorphs nature of iron in combination with aluminum will most probably produce alkali (Al + Fe) geopolymers. It will be interesting to find the application of this waste as regards to its mechanical strength as construction material through calculation of Si/Al, Si/(Al + Fe), Ca/Si ratios. As regards to industrial application the present research explores the possibility of utilizing IOT for the production of eco-friendly bricks. These bricks are produced in Mardini block making machine. The formed bricks are kept in room temperature for extended time periods after which different

The materials used in this study include IOT, sodium silicate solution (Na2Sio3), lime, GGBS and potable water. The mine tailings were received in a sizes ranging (<150 μm) from the Bellary mining area (BMM Ispat). The physical properties of the mine tailings are determined as per the standard (IS: 2720 (part 3 & 7). Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is a by-product of steel industry. GGBS can be used as a replacement for, or be blended with portland cement. When blended with Portland cement it is called Portland slag cement. Addition of GGBS has shown improvement in properties of the cement like resistance to chemical attack which results in improved durability of concrete mixtures. The chemical composition of IOT and GGBS is presented in **Table 1**. **Table 2** presents the physical properties of IOT. **Figure 1** shows SEM images of IOT and GGBS, respectively. As seen the IOT surface shows random distribution of irregular particles, while GGBS surface exhibited aggregates which might have happened due to surface kinetics. **Figures 2** and **3** show the XRD patterns of IOT and GGBS. XRD pattern of IOT shows the presence

**Chemical composition IOT GGBS** SiO2 9.02 34.16 Fe2O3 66.56 1.99 Al2O3 9.56 17.54 CaO 1.96 37.10 MgO 2.12 — MnO2 1.15 — TiO2 0.66 1.00 K2O — 0.31 Na2O — 0.57

**58**

**Table 1.**

*Chemical composition of IOT & GGBS.*

*Physical properties of IOT and GGBS.*

**Figure 1.** *SEM micrograph (a) IOT, (b) GGBS.*

**Figure 2.** *XRD pattern of Iron ore tailing (IOT).*

of kaolinite and calcite in addition to the crystalline phase of hematite. XRD pattern of GGBS shows highly amorphous nature, which is effective to control the geopolymeric reaction. The lime used in this study was commercial grade and slaked in nature, and the purity was more than 96%. Sodium silicate used in this study was procured from a local sodium silicate manufacturer in liquid form in concentration range of 3(SiO2):1(Na2O).
