Properties of Itakpe Iron Ore Tailings Compared to Natural Sand

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays due to higher demand for concrete, mortar and some other products in the construction industry and the problem of climate change ravaging all parts of the world, particularly in areas prone to erosion, there is a need for alternative material for natural sand as fine aggregate in concrete, mortar and some other construction products. In the process of obtaining natural sand as fine aggregate for concrete, mortar and some other construction products, more and more plant covers and water course are damaged and the environment can be seriously destroyed, hence the need for study into the use of Itakpe iron ore tailings (IIOTs) as a construction material. In this work, the structure of Silica which constitute the major chemical oxide in Itakpe iron ore tailings is highlighted. The physical properties of Itakpe iron ore tailings compared to that of natural sand were analysed. Also, the oxide composition of Itakpe iron ore tailings are presented and related to that of natural sand.The particle size distribution of Itakpe iron ore tailings are depicted and compared to that of natural sand. The output of the physical properties, oxide composition and sieve analysis of Itakpe iron ore tailings reveals that it has similar properties which are close in comparison to that of natural sand. This suggest that Itakpe iron ore tailings can be used to partially or fully replace natural sand in concrete, mortar and some other construction products. The use of IIOTs material for construction purpose will also reduce the problem of depleted natural sand and solid waste disposal, thereby promoting the sustainability of the construction industry.