Development and Performance Evaluation of Translucent Concrete Incorporating Activated Copper Tailings as Cementitious Material
Source abstract
Abstract
This study reports a method for producing translucent concrete using alkali-activated copper tailings, aiming to advance the valorization of solid waste and the development of sustainable construction materials. Under optimal conditions—600 °C calcination, 10 wt% CaO, and a 1:2 water-to-solid ratio—the material achieved a maximum 28-day compressive strength of 52.7 MPa, accompanied by a significantly reduced setting time. Leaching tests indicated that Cu, Zn, Pb, and As concentrations were well below the standard limits, ensuring environmental safety. Further optimization revealed that incorporating 40 wt% cement and 2 wt% polypropylene fibers (1 mm in diameter) provided the best balance between light transmission and mechanical performance. Microstructural analyses (XRD and SEM) confirmed the formation of C–S–H and C–A–S–H gels with minor Ca(OH)2, which densified the matrix and enhanced strength. Despite these promising results, potential variations in the tailing composition and challenges associated with industrial-scale implementation must be considered. Overall, this work elucidates the hydration and solidification mechanisms of copper-tailing-based translucent concrete and highlights its potential for environmentally sustainable and functional construction materials.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials · Concrete Properties and Behavior
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province · Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects · Yunnan Key Laboratory of Phosphogypsum Recycling and Ecological Utilization
References (72)
Show source-provided references
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