A machine learning model to predict unconfined compressive strength of alkali-activated slag-based cemented paste backfill

The unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of alkali-activated slag(AAS)-based cemented paste backfill(CPB)is influenced by multiple design parameters.However,the experimental methods are limited to understanding the relationships between a single design parameter and the UCS,independently of each other.Although machine learning(ML)methods have proven efficient in understanding relationships between multiple parameters and the UCS of ordinary Portland cement(OPC)-based CPB,there is a lack of ML research on AAS-based CPB.In this study,two ensemble ML methods,comprising gradient boosting regression(GBR)and random forest(RF),were built on a dataset collected from literature alongside two other single ML methods,support vector regression(SVR)and artificial neural network(ANN).The results revealed that the ensemble learning methods outperformed the single learning methods in predicting the UCS of AAS-based CPB.Relative importance analysis based on the bestperforming model(GBR)indicated that curing time and water-to-binder ratio were the most critical input parameters in the model.Finally,the GBR model with the highest accuracy was proposed for the UCS predictions of AAS-based CPB.

Effects of basicity and MgO content on the viscosity of the SiO_2-CaO-MgO-9wt%Al_2O_3 slag system

The effects of basicity and MgO content on the viscosity of SiO2-CaO-MgO-9wt%Al2O3 slags with basicity from 0.4 to 1.0 and MgO content from 13wt%to 19wt%were investigated using the rotating cylinder method. A correlation between the viscosity and the slag structure was determined by Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy. It is indicated that the complex network structure of the slag melt is depolymerized into simpler network units with increasing basicity or MgO content, resulting in a continuous decrease in viscosity of the slag. The viscosity is strongly dependent on the combined action of basic oxide components in the slag. Under the present experimental conditions, increasing the basicity is found to be more effective than increasing the MgO content in decreasing the viscosity of the slag. At higher temperatures, the increase of basicity or MgO content does not appreciably decrease the viscosity of the slag, as it does at lower tem-peratures. The calculated activation energy of viscous flow is between 154 and 200 kJ＆#183;mol-1, which decreases with an increase in basicity from 0.4 to 1.0 at a fixed MgO content in the range of 13wt%to 19wt%.

Desulfurization ability of refining slag with medium basicity

The desulfurization ability of refining slag with relative lower basicity （B） and Al2O3 content （B = 3.5-5.0; 20wt%-25wt% Al2O3） was studied. Firstly, the component activities and sulfide capacity （Cs） of the slag were calculated. Then slag-metal equilibrium experiments were carried out to measure the equilibrium sulfur distribution （Ls）. Based on the laboratorial experiments, slag composition was optimized for a better desulfurization ability, which was verified by industrial trials in a steel plant. The obtained results indicated that an MgO-saturated CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO system with the basicity of about 3.5-5.0 and the Al2O3 content in the range of 20wt%-25wt% has high activity of CaO （αCaO）, with no deterioration of Cs compared with conventional desulfurization slag. The measured Ls between high-strength low-alloyed （HSLA） steel and slag with a basicity of about 3.5 and an Al2O3 content of about 20wt% and between HSLA steel and slag with a basicity of about 5.0 and an Al2O3 content of about 25wt% is 350 and 275, respectively. The new slag with a basicity of about 3.5-5.0 and an Al2O3 content of about 20wt% has strong desulfurization ability. In particular, the key for high-efficiency desulfurization is to keep oxygen potential in the reaction system as low as possible, which was also verified by industrial trials.

Phosphate enrichment mechanism in CaO–SiO_2–FeO–Fe_2O_3–P_2O_5 steelmaking slags with lower binary basicity

The addition of silica to steelmaking slags to decrease the binary basicity can promote phosphate enrichment in quenched slag samples. In this study, we experimentally investigated phosphate enrichment behavior in CaO-SiO2-FeO-Fe203-P205 slags with a P205 content of 5.00% and the binary basicity B ranging from 1.0 to 2.0, where the （%Fe/O）/（%CaO） mass percentage ratio was maintained at 0.955. The experimental results are explained by the defined enrichment degree c, of solid solution 2CaO·SiO2-3CaO·P205 （C2S-C3P）, where R_C2S-C3P is a component of the developed ion and molecule coexistence theory （IMCT）-Ni model for calculating the mass action concentrations Ni of structural units in the slags on the basis of the IMCT. The asymmetrically inverse V-shaped relation be- tween phosphate enrichment and binary basicity B was observed to be correlated in the slags under applied two-stage cooling conditions. The maximum content of PROs in the C2S-C3P solid solution reached approximately 30.0% when the binary basicity B was controlled at 1.3.

Behavior of phosphorus enrichment in dephosphorization slag at low temperature and low basicity

At low basicity and low temperature, the dephosphorization behavior and phosphorus distribution ratio(LP) between slag and molten steel in the double slag and remaining slag process were studied with a 180 t basic oxygen furnace industrial experiment.The dephosphorization slags with different basicities were quantitatively analyzed.At the lower basicity range of 0.9–2.59, both LP and dephosphorization ratio were increased as the basicity of dephosphorization slag increased.Dephosphorization slag consisted of dark gray P-rich, light gray liquid slag,and white Fe-rich phases.With increasing basicity, not only did the morphologies of different phases in the dephosphorization slag change greatly, but the area fractions and P2O5 content of the P-rich phase also increased.The transfer route of P during dephosphorization can be deduced as hot metal → liquid slag phase + Fe-rich phase → P-rich phase.

Exploring the Mechanical Properties,Shrinkage and Compensation Mechanism of Cement Stabilized Macadam-Steel Slag from Multiple Perspectives

Steel slag is characterized by high strength,good wear resistance and micro-expansion.This study aims at exploring the potential of steel slag in cement stabilized aggregates,mainly including mechanical properties,shrinkage and compensation mechanisms.For this purpose,the compressive strength and compressive resilient modulus of cement stabilized aggregates with different steel slag contents(CSMS)were initially investigated.Subsequently,the effects of steel slag and cement on dry shrinkage,temperature shrinkage,and total shrinkage were analyzed through a series of shrinkage test designs.Additionally,in combination with X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Scanning electron microscope(SEM),the characteristic peaks and microscopic images of cement,steel slag and cement-steel slag at different hydration ages were analyzed to identify the chemical substances causing the expansion volume of steel slag and reveal the compensation mechanism of CSMS.The results show that the introduction of 20%steel slag improved the mechanical properties of CSMS by 16.7%,reduced dry shrinkage by 21%,increased temperature shrinkage by 5.8%and reduced its total shrinkage by 19.2%.Compared with the hydration reaction of cement alone,the composite hydration reaction of steel slag with cement does not produce new hydrates.Furthermore,it is noteworthy that the volume expansion of the f-CaO hydration reaction in steel slag can compensate for the volume shrinkage of cement-stabilized macadam.This research can provide a solid theoretical basis for the application and promotion of steel slag in cement-stabilized macadam and reduce the possibility of shrinkage cracking.

Reactions of Chromium during the Calcination of Cement Clinker Produced Using Steel Slag

We investigated the effects of calcination temperature(950-1450℃),steel slag content,and the total chromium content of steel slag on the Cr^(6+)contents of clinker samples produced using steel slags with different chromium contents.Additionally,the reactions of chromium in clinker(produced using steel slag)during calcination were studied.It is found that Cr^(6+)conversion increases with increasing calcination temperature to 1250℃,reaching a maximum of 43%-79%,before decreasing to 18%-42%at 1450℃.Cr^(6+)is mainly formed by the oxidation of trivalent chromium(Cr^(3+))during the solid-phase reaction stage of clinker calcination.Furthermore,the Cr^(6+)content of a clinker sample is proportional to the chromium content of its raw meal precursor and is mainly in the form of water-insoluble calcium chromate(CaCrO_(4)).The chromium in clinker is mainly distributed in tricalcium aluminate and tetracalcium aluminoferrite,however,some is present in silicate minerals.We expect to inform the monitoring and control of the Cr^(6+)content of clinker(produced using steel slag)and resulting cement.

Effect of Top Slag Basicity on Quality of Steel Treated by Exothermic Agent SiFe and SiCaBa during Chemical Heating

The effect of top slag basicity on quality of steel treated with SiFe and SiCaBa alloy as exothermic agent in chemical heating was studied.These experiments were carried out in MoSi_2 laboratory furnace with 0.2 kg molten steel for equilibrium test and 2 kg molten steel for simulation test respectively.These results showed that the adjusting basicity of top slag with CaO is effective to prevent rephosphorization and resulphurization,and it is possible to dephosphorize and desulphurize and remove the inclusions from molten steel when basicity R of the top slag is adjusted to 2.0 — 3.10,and SiCaBa alloy is better than SiFe alloy in this relation.

A model for estimating the rate constant between CO_2-CO gas and molten slag containing iron oxides using optical basicity

A simple model for estimating the rate constant between CO2-CO gas and molten slag containing iron oxides was developed using optical basicity only. In this model, the temperature dependence of the rate constant can be described by the Arrhenius law, and the activation energy can be expressed with a linear function of the slag＇s optical basicity. The model was applied to some molten slag systems, such as FeO, FeO-CaO, FeO-SiO2, FeO-Na2O, FeO-CaO-SiO2, FeO-SiO2-P2O5, FeO-SiOE-Na2O, and FeO-CaO-SiOE-P2O5. A comparison between the predicted results and measured data showed that the model worked well.

Compressive Strength of Basic Magnesium Sulfate Cement Coral Aggregate Concrete(MCAC)on Non-Destructive Testing

Basic magnesium sulfate cement coral aggregate concrete(MCAC)is a new type of concrete consisting of basic magnesium sulfate cement,coarse coral aggregate,coral reef sand and seawater.The rebound hammer(RH),the ultrasonic pulse velocity(UPV)and the compressive strength(fcu)tests of 14 sets of cube specimens of the MCAC after 28 d of aging were conducted.The impact of the content and length of sisal fiber on the relationship between the fcu-RH and the fcu-UPV was determined.A mathematical model was established to predict the strength of the MCAC using the UPV,RH,and comprehensive UPV/RH methods and to obtain the curves of test strength.The applicability of the test strength curves of ordinary portland concrete(OPC),light-weight aggregate concrete(LAC),and coral aggregate concrete(CAC)to MCAC was assessed.The results showed that the test strength curves of OPC,LAC and CAC were inappropriate to determine the strength of MCAC using non-destructive method.The relative standard error of the curves of test strength of the RH method and the comprehensive method met the specifications,whereas that of the UPV method did not.

Optimum Slag Basicity for Deoxidation DuringSecondary Refining Process

According to the coexistence theory of slag structures, the calculating model of the oxidizing capabilityfor CaO-MgO-FeO-Al2O3-SiO2 refining slag system has been deduced. Based on this model, the concept and thecalculating method of the optimum slag basicity are put forward. The results have proved that at this basicity,steel with lower oxygen content can be obtained and non-metallic indigenous globular inclusions can be avoidedmore effectively than at other basicity.

Correlation between the Sulphide Capacity Index and the Slag Basicity

The relationships between the sulphide capacity index and the optical basicity, the mole fraction of oxygen ion and the Bell's ratio were investigated based on extensive lab scale equilibrium and industry scale quasi-equilibrium experimental data in the temperature range of 1300 1600℃. Although the sulphide capacity index has good relations with different representations of slag basicity. according to the data obtained under the lab scale equilibrium experimental conditions,the similar relations do not exist according to the data obtained under the industry scale quasi-equilibrium experimental conditions. So it is concluded that the sulphide capacity index, which has been considered as a measure of the slag basicity. can not be used for virtually all oxide slags of interest in the field of ironmaking and steelmaking.

Basicity for blast furnace-type slag containing B_2O_3 and high MgO

There is quite abundant resource of ludwigite ore in Liaoning Province of China. Content of MgO in the slag of pyrometallurgical separation of boron from iron is much higher than that in the ordinary slags. Through the equilibrium partition ratio of sulfur L S between the metal and the slag in an atmosphere of CO N 2, the acidic coefficients for B 2O 3 and the basic coefficients for MgO were estimated. The basic formulae were given for the blast furnace type slag containing B 2O 3 and high MgO.

Cemented backfilling performance of yellow phosphorus slag

The experiments on the cemented backfilling perfbrmance of yellow phosphorus slag, including physical-mechanical properties, chemical compositions, optimized proportion, and cementation mechanisms, were carried out to make good use of yellow phosphorus slag as well as tackle with environment problems, safety problems, geological hazards, and high-cost issues during mining in Kaiyang Phosphorus Mine Group, Guizhou. The results show that yellow phosphorus slag can be used as the cement substitute for potential coagulation property. Quicklime, hydrated lime, and other alkaline substances can eliminate the high residual phosphorus to improve the initial strength of backfilling body. The recommended proportions （mass ratio） are 1：1 （yellow phosphorus slag：phosphorous gypsum）, 1：4：10 （Portland cement：yellow phosphorus slag：phosphorous gypsum）, and 1：4：10 （ultra fine powder：yellow phosphorus slag：phosphorous gypsum） with 5wt% of hydrated lime addition, 60wt% of solid materials, no fly ash addition, and good rheological properties. The hydration reaction involves hydration stage, solidifying stage, and strength stage with Ca（OH）2 as the activating agent. The reaction rates of yellow phosphorus slag, Portland cement, and ultrafine powder hydration with the increase of microstructure stability and initial strength.

Cementitious property of NaAlO2-activated Ge slag as cement supplement

Germanium(Ge),a waste residue leaching from zinc(Zn)smelting process,has potential cementitious properties and could be recycled as a cement supplement activated by chemical reagents.In this work,a test was conducted to determine the hydration properties of Ge slag-cement-based composites with Ge slag(GS)/ordinary Portland cement(PC)contents of 0wt%,5wt%,10wt%,15wt%,20wt%,and 25wt% and water-to-binder ratio(w/b)of 0.4.The activators Ca(OH)2,AlCl3,NaAlO2,and Na2CO3 were mixed under 1wt%,2wt%,3wt%,and 4wt% dosages of GS weight.The composition and microstructure of the hydration products were investigated by the combined approaches of X-ray diffraction(XRD),thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry(TG-DSC),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS).First,the GS cementitious property is attributed to the high content of CaSO4·2H2O.Second,the activators affected the acceleration performance in the following order:NaAlO2,Na2CO3,AlCl3,and Ca(OH)2.More importantly,the 28-day unconfined compressive strength(UCS)is 45.34 MPa at the optimum formula of 0.6wt% NaAlO2,15wt% GS,and 85wt% PC,which is 9.16% higher than the control.Thus,NaAlO2 is beneficial for the ettringite(AFt)generation,resulting in the C-S-H structure compaction.However,the Zn^2+ residue inhibited the AFt formation,representing an important challenge to the strength growth with curing age.Consequently,the GS could be recycled as a supplement to the cement under the activator NaAlO2.

Hydration Kinetics of Phosphorus Slag-cement Paste

Hydration characteristics of Portland cement paste with phosphorus slag powder incorporated and hydration kinetics was investigated with SEM, X-ray diffraction, DTA-TG and calorimeter Ⅱ80. Results showed that phosphorus slag powder could reduce total amount of hydration products yet had little influence on the type of hydration products. The total amount of heat of hydration was decreased by 49.11% and the final setting was postponed by 2.28 h when phosphorus slag powder substituted 35% Portland cement by mass. The accelerating stage of this composite paste was controlled by catalysis, decreasing stage controlled by both catalysis and diffusion while stabilizing stage by diffusion alone. Hydration resistance and activation energy were reduced and hydration speed was accelerated.

Research on Hydration of Steel Slag Cement Activated with Waterglass

This paper studied the hydration and strength influence factors ofSteel Slag Cement (SSC), such as the quantity of steel slag and slagand the dosage of additive. The results show that: (a) In the processof hydration of SSC, steel slag and slag activate each other; (b)Waterglass's structure forms the preliminary skeleton of SSC, and thehydration products of SSC link or fill in the skeleton; (c) Sodium inWaterglass is the catalytic and its concentration does not change inthe process of hydration. (d) Structure of activation is asignificant factor to the property of SSC.

Hydration mechanism of a cementitious material prepared with Si-Mn slag

A cementitious material was prepared by mixing 80wt% Si-Mn slag powder, 10wt% lime, and 10wt% anhydrite. The compressive strength of mortar samples reaches 51.48 MPa after 28 d curing. The analyses of X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） show that much ettringite is formed in the sample cured for 3 d, and C-S-H gel increases rapidly during subsequent curing. Nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） analysis of 29Si and 27Al and infrared spectroscopy （IR） analysis show that aluminum decomposition from tetrahedral network of the slag glass and its subsequent migration and re-combination play an important role in the process of hydration and strength development of the samples.

Effect of Fine Steel Slag Powder on the Early Hydration Process of Portland Cement

Hydration heat evolution, non-evaporative water, setting time and SEM tests were peorormed to investigate the effect of fine steel slag powder on the hydration process of Portland cement and its mechanism. The results show that the effect of fine steel slag powder on the hydration process of Portland cement is closely related to its chemical composition, mineral phases, fineness, etc. Fine steel slag powder retards the hydration of portland cement at early age. The major reason for this phenomenon is the relative high content of MgO , MnO2, P2O5 in steel slag, and MgO solid solved in C3 S contained in steel slag.