Reuse of copper mining tailing as fine aggregate in high-performance concrete production
Yandra Beatriz de Oliveira Gonçalves, Wagner Carvalho Santiago, Rafael Akira Akisue
Abstract
The large volume of waste generated by copper ore beneficiation represents a major challenge in terms of disposal and management, particularly regarding environmental issues. In this context, the construction industry represents a promising alternative for utilizing this environmental liability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using copper ore waste in concrete production as a partial replacement for natural fine aggregate. In this research, fine aggregate was partially replaced with copper tailings at replacement levels of 10%, 20%, and 30%, in addition to a control mixture without waste. Additionally, a maximum water-cement ratio of 0.40 was adopted, and the slump was set at 120 ± 20 mm. Compressive strength was measured at 7 and 28 days of moist curing. The mixture design methodology used was developed by the Polytechnique School of University of São Paulo (EPUSP) and Institute of Technological Research (IPT). It was observed that the addition of waste caused a reduction in compressive strength, with the largest reduction being 13.53% at 28 days of curing for the mixture with a substitution content of 10%. The most favorable result observed in this study was for the mixture with a 20% replacement level. Not only did it minimize the reduction in compressive strength compared to the reference concrete, but also resulted in lower water absorption and void content.
Keywords
Referências
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Submetido em:
01/03/2026
Aceito em:
29/09/2026
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