Correlative mechanism of hydraulic-mechanical property in cemented paste backfill

Hydraulic characteristic is a good indication of binder hydration, which determines the strength development of cemented paste backfill (CPB). Therefore, the hydraulic characteristic should be communicated with the mechanical property to provide an advanced knowledge that can help mine workers make a rational strategy and reduce the mining cycle. An experimental program was performed to obtain the hydraulic (monitored by suction and volumetric water content) and mechanical properties (unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test) of CPB at the 28 days curing age. According to the monitoring and testing results, the relationships between the hydration reaction rate and volumetric water content (VWC), suction and VWC, suction and UCS were established. The hydration degree showed a liner rise as the VWC decreased. Curves of the VWC and UCS were featured with a nonlinear reduction and nonlinear growth (both are exponential functions) as the suction rising, respectively. These established relationships validated the strong correlative mechanism of hydraulic and mechanics behavior for CPB. Also, the results of the present research indicated that the hydraulic characteristics and mechanical property were strongly coupled. These correlations and couplings will be of great importance to understand the hardening process of CPB and bring to a safe CPB field operation.