Evaluation of the effect of sodium silicate addition to mine backfill, Gelfill – Part 2: Effects of mixing time and curing temperature

The effects of mixing time and curing temperature on the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and microstructure of cemented hydraulic fill (CHF) and sodium silicate-fortified backfill (Gelfill) were investigated in the laboratory. A series of CHF and Gelfill samples was mixed for time periods ranging from 5 min to 60 min and cured at temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 50 °C for 7 d, 14 d or 28 d. Increasing the mixing time negatively influenced the UCS of Gelfill samples, but did not have a detectable effect on CHF samples. The curing temperature had a strong positive impact on the UCSs of both Gelfill and CHF. An elevated temperature caused rapid UCS development over the first 14 d of curing. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) indicated that the pore size distribution and total porosity of Gelfill were altered by curing temperature.