Title: Mechanical Properties of Concrete Made with Taconite Aggregate

Author(s): Rita E. Lederle and Amanda Birnbaum

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 119

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 101-108

Keywords: alternative aggregates; taconite; waste material

DOI: 10.14359/51736003

Date: 11/1/2022

Abstract:
This study tested the effect of using taconite as an aggregate replacement in concrete. Taconite is a by-product from iron ore mining that has the potential to be used in concrete production as a coarse and/or fine aggregate. Replacing the aggregate in a concrete pavement with taconite could decrease the demand for increasingly scarce high-quality aggregates. The mechanical properties of concrete made with only fine, only coarse, or both fine and coarse taconite aggregates were tested. Properties tested include compressive, flexural, and tensile strength; elastic modulus; and coefficient of thermal expansion. All concretes made with taconite coarse and fine aggregate, either alone or in combination, produced concrete with acceptable mechanical properties for use in paving. The use of taconite coarse aggregate increased all mechanical properties tested, while the use of taconite fine aggregate had mixed effects on mechanical properties, but values of all properties tested remained within normal ranges. Fresh concrete properties were also tested, and taconite was found to decrease workability. This work shows that both coarse and fine taconite aggregates have the potential to be used as viable aggregates for concrete.