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Modified non-explosive expansive cement for preconditioning deep host rocks: A review

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Abstract

Soundless cracking demolition agents (SCDAs) are calcium oxide (CaO) based expansive cement, which have the potential of increasing the permeability of host rocks for underground mineral extraction applications like in-situ leaching (ISL) by inducing fractures. The expansive pressure is generated by the CaO hydration under restrained conditions. Estimating the expansive pressure build-up in a SCDA system at a specific time is essential to control the fracture propagation in ISL. This paper reviews research studies on potential theoretical approaches such as chemical thermodynamics and continuum micromechanics to calculate the expansive pressure build up in the SCDA system. A significant difference between the calculated values of expansive pressure from the two methods was observed, which can be attributed to the effect of surrounding confining material in the micromechanics approach. Underground application of SCDA requires enhanced fluidity to inject into greater depths within rock, adequate water resistance and delayed setting times. This study also reviews the potential viscosity enhancing additives and superplasticizers that can be exploited to enhance anti washout properties and fluidity, respectively. Possible accelerators and retarders that can be incorporated with SCDA were also evaluated. However, comprehensive studies should be carried out to determine the compatibility of the potential additives with SCDA before utilization in underground mineral extracting applications.

Article Highlights

  • The formation of portlandite under confined conditions mainly contribute to the expansive pressure development in SCDA.

  • The expansive pressure of SCDA can be calculated by two different principles, such as micromechanics and chemical thermodynamics.

  • Admixtures incorporated with SCDA to enhance washout resistance, workability and setting time were evaluated.

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Abbreviations

ASTM:

American society for testing and materials

DG:

Diutan gum

HPMC:

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

HRWR:

High range water reducer

IAP:

Ion activity products

ISL:

In-situ leaching

LS:

Lignosulfonates

NS:

Naphthalene-based water reducer

PCE:

Polycarboxylate ether

SCDA:

Soundless cracking demolition agent

SG:

Sodium gluconate

SMF:

Sulphonated melamine formaldehyde polycondonsates

SNF:

Sulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde polycondensates

SP:

Superplasticizer

SREMA:

Slow releasing energy material

VEA:

Viscosity enhancing admixture

WG:

Welan gum

Ca2 + :

Calcium ion

–COO :

Carboxyl ion

OH :

Hydroxide ion

\({\text{SO}}_{3}^{ - }\) :

Sulfonate ion

A:

Aluminium oxide (alumina)

C:

Calcium oxide (lime)

S:

Silicon dioxide (silica)

CA:

Calcium aluminate

C3A:

Tricalcium aluminate (aluminate)

C2S:

Dicalcium silicate (belite)

C3S:

Tricalcium silicate (alite)

C4AF:

Tetracalcium aluminoferrite (ferrite)

CSA:

Calcium sulfoaluminate

\({\text{C}}_{4} {\text{A}}_{3} {\overline{\text{S}}}\) :

Tetracalcium trialuminate sulfate (kleinite)

\({\text{C}}{\overline{\text{S}}}\) :

Calcium sulfate (anhydrite)

\({\text{C}}{\overline{\text{S}}}{\text{H}}_{2}\) :

Calcium sulfate (gypsum)

CH:

Calcium hydroxide (portlandite)

CSH:

Calcium silicate hydrate

\({\text{C}}_{6} {\text{A}}{\overline{\text{S}}}_{3} {\text{H}}_{32}\) :

Calcium sulfoaluminate hydrate (ettringite)

C12A7 :

Dodecacalcium hepta-aluminate

MgO:

Magnesium oxide

Fe2O3 :

Iron oxide

C:

CaO

S:

SiO2

A:

Al2O3

F:

Fe2O3

\({\overline{\text{S}}}\) :

SO3

H:

H2O

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Correspondence to P. G. Ranjith.

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Manatunga, U.I., Ranjith, P.G., De Silva, V.R.S. et al. Modified non-explosive expansive cement for preconditioning deep host rocks: A review. Geomech. Geophys. Geo-energ. Geo-resour. 7, 99 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-021-00292-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-021-00292-z

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