Hydration Characteristics and Early Strength Evolution of Classified Fine Tailings Cemented Backfill

To explore the hydration characteristics and early strength evolution of classified fine tailings cemented backfill (CFTCB), a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and a volume resistivity test were performed on classified fine tailings filling slurry (CFTFS). The early hydration products of CFTCB were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test was carried out, and the microscopic characteristics and strength rules of the hydration reaction of CFTCB were analyzed. Based on the experiment, we found the law of water content change and porosity evolution. The early hydration reaction can be divided into the dissolution, setting, and hardening stages. The volume resistivity test results show that the volume resistance of filling slurry increases slowly at first then decreases, and finally increases rapidly. The variation trend of volume resistivity is related to the degree of hydration reaction. When combined with the hydration characteristics of backfill materials, the hydration reaction rate determines the growth rate of early strength of backfill, and the formation of hydration products is the reason for the early strength increase in backfill. The research conclusion has an important theoretical guiding value and engineering significance in mine filling production organization and filling ratio parameter optimization.