{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,5]],"date-time":"2025-12-05T05:27:07Z","timestamp":1764912427466,"version":"3.46.0"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"23","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]],"date-time":"2025-11-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1764288000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Science and Technology Department of Yunnan Province China","award":["202401AS070071"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["202401AS070071"]}]},{"name":"Innovative Team of the \u201cXingdian Talents Support Program\u201d in Yunnan Province","award":["202505AS350002"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["202505AS350002"]}]},{"name":"Central Guidance on Local Science and Technology Development Fund","award":["202407AC110019"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["202407AC110019"]}]},{"name":"Ministry of Natural Resources","award":["2023ZRBSHZ009"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2023ZRBSHZ009"]}]},{"name":"Guizhou Provincial Department of Science and Technology","award":["Qian Kehe Basic QN [2025] 452"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Qian Kehe Basic QN [2025] 452"]}]},{"name":"Guizhou Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development","award":["Qian Dikuang Kehe [2024] 17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Qian Dikuang Kehe [2024] 17"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Fine-grained tailings pose significant challenges for direct resource utilization applications such as tailings dam construction and backfill preparation due to their fine particle size, high specific surface area, and extended natural consolidation period. This investigation examined the mechanical properties of cemented fine-grained tailings under varying mix proportions and conditions. The cemented tailings were prepared using raw tailings material containing approximately 95% particles sized 0\u201374 \u03bcm. A comprehensive experimental program comprising 36 flexural tests and uniaxial compressive tests was conducted, with cement\u2013sand ratio (A), curing age (B), and specimen immersion time (C) as controlled variables. The strength development mechanism was characterized through XRD and SEM, while mechanical performance data were systematically analyzed using range analysis, ANOVA, and regression analysis. Key findings demonstrate that \u2460 the flexural strength of cemented tailings ranged from 0.43 to 2.07 MPa, with compressive strength varying between 3.02 and 12.52 MPa; \u2461 both compressive and flexural strengths exhibited positive correlations with factors A and B, while showing negative correlation with factor C; \u2462 hydration products consisted primarily of C-S-H gels and zeolite-like phases, whose interwoven microstructure collectively ensured specimen integrity; \u2463 all three factors significantly influenced mechanical strengths with identical hierarchical impact: A &gt; B &gt; C; and \u2464 a comprehensive predictive model based on ternary quadratic polynomial regression was developed and validated. These results provide a scientific foundation for sustainable resource utilization of fine-grained tailings as solid waste materials.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma18235380","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,4]],"date-time":"2025-12-04T16:07:38Z","timestamp":1764864458000},"page":"5380","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Experimental Investigation into the Mechanical Properties of Fine-Grained Tailings After Cemented Modification"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Yichen","family":"Wu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Land and Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Guangjin","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Land and Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China"},{"name":"School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 330044, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3646-7484","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bing","family":"Zhao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Land and Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jun","family":"You","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Land and Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China"},{"name":"Guizhou Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Guiyang 550081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Songlin","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Natural Resources of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yuanting","family":"Zhu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Guizhou Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, Guiyang 550081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Rong","family":"Lan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Kunming Engineering & Research Institute of Nonferrous Metallurgy Co., Ltd., Kunming 650051, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mingsheng","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Kunming Engineering & Research Institute of Nonferrous Metallurgy Co., Ltd., Kunming 650051, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Qinglin","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 330044, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131372","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2023.131372","article-title":"A Study on Mechanical Properties and Permeability of Steam-Cured Mortar with Iron-Copper Tailings","volume":"383","author":"Zhao","year":"2023","journal-title":"Constr. Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"140925","article-title":"Mechanical Properties and Damage Constitutive Model of Lithium Slag\u2013Cement\u2013Tailings Cemented Backfill under Impact Loading","volume":"472","author":"Xve","year":"2025","journal-title":"Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"116336","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envres.2023.116336","article-title":"Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Tailings Ponds for Agricultural Use: Opportunities and Challenges","volume":"232","author":"Yu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Environ. Res."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Daza, L., G\u00f3mez, R., D\u00edaz-Noriega, R., G\u00f3mez-Espina, R., Skrzypkowski, K., and Jerez, O. (2025). Thermal Conductivity in Mortar Samples with Copper Mine Tailings. Materials, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma18133157"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106657","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enggeo.2022.106657","article-title":"A New Look at the Statistics of Tailings Dam Failures","volume":"303","author":"Piciullo","year":"2022","journal-title":"Eng. Geol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lin, S.-Q., Wang, G.-J., Liu, W.-L., Zhao, B., Shen, Y.-M., Wang, M.-L., and Li, X.-S. (2022). Regional Distribution and Causes of Global Mine Tailings Dam Failures. Metals, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/met12060905"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1047","DOI":"10.1007\/s12583-020-1103-6","article-title":"Early Warning of Heavy Metal Pollution after Tailing Pond Failure Accident","volume":"33","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Earth Sci."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Du, C., Niu, B., Yi, F., Jiang, X., and Liang, L. (2023). Impact of Inundation Range of Overtopping Dam Break of Tailings Pond under Actual Terrain Conditions. PLoS ONE, 18.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0295056"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125333","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2021.125333","article-title":"Recycling Mine Tailings as Precursors for Cementitious Binders\u2014Methods, Challenges and Future Outlook","volume":"312","author":"Maruthupandian","year":"2021","journal-title":"Constr. Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li, R., Yin, Z., and Lin, H. (2023). Research Status and Prospects for the Utilization of Lead\u2013Zinc Tailings as Building Materials. Buildings, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/buildings13010150"},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"11","article-title":"Research Status and Development Trends of Solid Waste Backfill in Metal Mines","volume":"44","author":"Cheng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Chin. J. Eng."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131633","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2023.131633","article-title":"Improvement of Tailings Gradation on Workability and Strength of Cemented Tailings Backfill","volume":"387","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Constr. Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"136169","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2023.136169","article-title":"Properties and Application of Thixotropic Cement Paste Backfill with Molybdenum Tailings","volume":"391","author":"Gao","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, J., Wang, S., and Tuo, B. (2025). Study on Optimization of Compressive Properties of Phosphorus Gypsum-Blast Furnace Slag-Phosphorus Tailings Unburned Brick. Sci. Rep., 15.","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-02523-9"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38748","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ceramint.2024.07.246","article-title":"Effect of Green Gel System upon the Properties of Phosphorus Tailings Foamed Ceramics","volume":"50","author":"Fu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Ceram. Int."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xiao, Y., Ju, X., Li, C., Wang, T., and Wu, R. (2023). Research on Recycling of Phosphorus Tailings Powder in Open-Graded Friction Course Asphalt Concrete. Materials, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma16052000"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"2400","article-title":"Early Warning Analysis of Damage Mutation in Tailings Cemented Backfill Underdifferent Initial Defect Conditions","volume":"42","author":"Zhao","year":"2023","journal-title":"Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"186","article-title":"Analysis of Fracture Characteristics and Energy Consumption of Full Tailings Cemented Backfill under Impact Load","volume":"44","author":"Jiang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Rock Soil Mech."},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"3083","article-title":"Strength and Damage Characteristics of Tailings Filling Bodywith Different Particle Size Distributions","volume":"43","author":"Jin","year":"2022","journal-title":"Rock Soil Mech."},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"21","article-title":"Influence of Tailings Particle Size, cement-Sand Ratio, and Slurry Concentration on Mechanical Properties of Tailings Backfill","volume":"20","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"China Saf. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"219","article-title":"Experimental Study on Compressive Behavior of Cemented Paste Backfill Material with Different Water Contents","volume":"50","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Coal Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Belibi Tana, A.E., Yin, S., and Wang, L. (2021). Investigation on Mechanical Characteristics and Microstructure of Cemented Whole Tailings Backfill. Minerals, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/min11060592"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109524","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mineng.2025.109524","article-title":"Influence of Mine Tailings Mineralogy and Curing Conditions in the Cementation of Pastes for Mine Galleries Backfilling","volume":"232","author":"Caraballo","year":"2025","journal-title":"Miner. Eng."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101322","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jobe.2020.101322","article-title":"Assessment of Molybdenum Mine Tailings as Filler in Cement Mortar","volume":"31","author":"Siddique","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Build. Eng."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130064","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2022.130064","article-title":"Application of Cement Treated Magnesite Mine Tailings as Subgrade","volume":"365","author":"Shanmugasundaram","year":"2023","journal-title":"Constr. Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xiong, S., Liu, Z., Min, C., Shi, Y., Zhang, S., and Liu, W. (2022). Compressive Strength Prediction of Cemented Backfill Containing Phosphate Tailings Using Extreme Gradient Boosting Optimized by Whale Optimization Algorithm. Materials, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma16010308"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1356","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psep.2024.11.005","article-title":"Conversion of Recovered Phosphorus Tailings into High-Value Lightweight Ceramic Materials and Evaluation of Environmental Safety","volume":"192","author":"Fu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Process Saf. Environ."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"137098","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2024.137098","article-title":"Investigation of Macro-Micro Mechanical Behaviors and Failure Mechanisms in Cemented Tailings Backfill with Varying Proportions of Fine. Constr","volume":"438","author":"Yang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Huang, M., Cai, S., Chen, L., and Tang, S. (2022). Multi-Response Robust Parameter Optimization of Cemented Backfill Proportion with Ultra-Fine Tailings. Materials, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma15196902"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3683","DOI":"10.1007\/s11069-022-05537-y","article-title":"Experimental Study on Consolidation and Strength Properties of Tailings with Different Particle Size Distribution Characteristics","volume":"114","author":"Tian","year":"2022","journal-title":"Nat. Hazard."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, X., Wu, Z., and Guo, F. (2024). Experimental Study on the Shear Strength of Different Interfaces of Fine-Grained-Tailing-Filled Geotextile Tubes. Buildings, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/buildings14071934"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Luo, Y., Zhou, M., Wang, M., Feng, Y., Luo, H., Ou, J., Wu, S., and Jing, X. (2025). Study on Lateral Erosion Failure Behavior of Reinforced Fine-Grained Tailings Dam Due to Overtopping Breach. Water, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/w17142088"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109259","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mineng.2025.109259","article-title":"Study on the Strength Improvement Mechanism of Fine-Grained Iron Tailings Cemented Backfill after High Temperature Calcining","volume":"227","author":"Yao","year":"2025","journal-title":"Miner. Eng."},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"3597","article-title":"Thickening Dehydration Performance and Flocculation Mechanism of Ultrafine Tailings Based on Dual Flocculation","volume":"54","author":"Wang","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Cent. South Univ. (Sci. Technol.)"},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"176","article-title":"Study and Application of Optimal Mix Proportion for New Cementitious Material of Ultrafine Unclassified Tailings","volume":"23","author":"Hu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Min. Technol."},{"key":"ref_36","unstructured":"(2021). Test Method of Cement Mortar Strength (ISO Method). Standard No. GB\/T 17671-2021."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"524","article-title":"Microscopic Experiment of Consolidating Tailings by Linglong Cementitious Material","volume":"4","author":"Wang","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Min. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"Liu, Z.R. (2024). Damage Characteristics and Degradation Mechanism of Multiple Solid Waste Based Cemented Tailings Backfill. [Master\u2019s Thesis, Liaoning Technical University]. (In Chinese)."},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"172","article-title":"Non-Clinker Consolidation Performance and Hydration Mechanism of Silicon Aluminum Iron Tailing Powder","volume":"26","author":"An","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_40","first-page":"449","article-title":"Microstructure Evolution of Hydration Products of Tricalcium Silicate under Dissolution","volume":"55","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Hydraul. Eng."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"3263","article-title":"Study on Impermeability of Polymer Modified Repair Mortar Based on Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technology","volume":"42","author":"Wang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Acta Mater. Compos. Sin."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"127513","DOI":"10.1016\/j.conbuildmat.2022.127513","article-title":"Investigation of Failure Mechanism of Cement-Fiber-Tailings Matrix Composites Using Digital Image Correlation and Acoustic Emission","volume":"335","author":"Zhao","year":"2022","journal-title":"Constr. Build. Mater."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6633","DOI":"10.1007\/s00603-024-03888-5","article-title":"Experimental Study on the Free-Face True-Triaxial Rockburst Test Considering the Influence of Joints","volume":"57","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"Rock Mech. Rock Eng."},{"key":"ref_44","first-page":"43","article-title":"Study on Long-Term Mechanical Characteristics of Cemented Backfill with Graded Fine Tailings","volume":"43","author":"Kou","year":"2023","journal-title":"Min. Res. Dev."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1900","DOI":"10.1007\/s11771-024-5669-5","article-title":"Preparation and Interface State of Phosphate Tailing-Based Geopolymers","volume":"31","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Cent. South Univ."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"141306","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2024.141306","article-title":"A Study of the Mechanical Properties, Environmental Effect, and Microscopic Mechanism of Phosphorus Slag-Based Uranium Tailings Backfilling Materials","volume":"446","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_47","unstructured":"Zhang, T.D., Wang, P.H., and Wang, W. (2024). Advanced Mathematics, Posts & Telecom Press. (In Chinese)."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1277","DOI":"10.1037\/met0000629","article-title":"The Case for the Curve: Parametric Regression with Second- and Third-Order Polynomial Functions of Predictors Should Be Routine","volume":"30","author":"Kroc","year":"2023","journal-title":"Psychol. Methods"}],"container-title":["Materials"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/18\/23\/5380\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,5]],"date-time":"2025-12-05T05:10:59Z","timestamp":1764911459000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/18\/23\/5380"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"23","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["ma18235380"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ma18235380","relation":{},"ISSN":["1996-1944"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"1996-1944"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,28]]}}}