Utilization of construction spoil and coal gangue in sintered blocks: A case study in Xuchang City

Abstract

To address environmental pollution and promote the reuse of construction spoil (CS) and coal gangue (CG), this study investigates the production of sintered blocks using these waste materials. The mixture of CS and CG was prepared through vacuum extrusion and subsequently fired to create sintered block samples. The mechanical properties, phase transformations, and microstructure of the sintered blocks were characterized through mechanical testing, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and environmental pollution analysis. The results revealed that the compressive strength of strip sintered blocks notably high, while double-hole blocks with a height-width ratio of 1:1 demonstrated superior resistance to freeze-thaw cycles. Furthermore, the environmental pollution risk from heavy metals during the production of sintered block was significantly reduced compared to the raw materials. This study demonstrates that the utilization of CS and CG in sintered blocks production presents a viable solution for waste disposal, offering both environmental protection and resource recovery benefits.