Title:
Mechanical Properties of Concrete Made with Taconite Aggregate
Author(s):
Rita E. Lederle and Amanda Birnbaum
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
119
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
101-108
Keywords:
alternative aggregates; taconite; waste material
DOI:
10.14359/51736003
Date:
11/1/2022
Abstract:
This study tested the effect of using taconite as an aggregate replacement in concrete. Taconite is a by-product from iron ore mining that has the potential to be used in concrete production as a coarse and/or fine aggregate. Replacing the aggregate in a concrete pavement with taconite could decrease the demand for increasingly scarce high-quality aggregates. The mechanical properties of concrete made with only fine, only coarse, or both fine and coarse taconite aggregates were tested. Properties tested include compressive, flexural, and tensile strength; elastic modulus; and coefficient of thermal expansion. All concretes made with taconite coarse and
fine aggregate, either alone or in combination, produced concrete with acceptable mechanical properties for use in paving. The use of taconite coarse aggregate increased all mechanical properties tested, while the use of taconite fine aggregate had mixed effects on mechanical properties, but values of all properties tested remained within normal ranges. Fresh concrete properties were also tested, and taconite was found to decrease workability. This work shows that both coarse and fine taconite aggregates have the potential to
be used as viable aggregates for concrete.