ABSTRACT
In order to reduce the environmental impact generated in the manufacture of products and applications in civil construction and geotechnical works, there is an increasing search for alternative materials to conventional ones, such as cement, which can reduce emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere, such as CO2, and energy consumption in their production. With this in mind, this study proposes the use of a natural inorganic binder, which has the function of absorbing CO2, in the stabilization of iron ore tailings in order to improve their mechanical properties. To this end, a dosage test was carried out to define the best levels of the product in the tailings, using simple compressive strength tests. The tests evaluated the application of 3%, 4% and 5% of the binder in relation to the dry mass of tailings and showed that the three dosages showed significant gains in terms of peak strength and deformations when compared to the virgin sample of tailings, with 3% of the product already showing significant results. Therefore, the use of the product proved promising in the stabilization of tailings, helping to improve both the mechanical characteristics, which are important in geotechnical works projects, and to reduce the environmental impacts of these processes.
