The mechanical strength of the high-concentration backfill produced using sand and stone from the Chifeng Chaihulanzi Mine is significantly influenced by mass fraction, binder ratio, and curing age, showing regular patterns of change. However, no distinct variation pattern is observed with changes in the sand-to-aggregate ratio. To further explore the mechanism of the sand-to-aggregate ratio’s impact on the characteristics of the high-concentration backfill material, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was used to analyze pore structures in detail. The results indicate a negative correlation between the strength of the backfill material and the volume fraction of mesopores and macropores, as well as porosity. By integrating fractal dimension theory and validating the results, a strong negative correlation is identified between strength and the proportion of pores larger than 1.0 μm. Therefore, the relationship between strength and pore structure can be quantitatively characterized by the volume percentage of pores larger than 1.0 μm. This study reveals the microscopic mechanism underlying the strength evolution of high-concentration backfill materials under different sand-to-aggregate ratio conditions, providing a basis for optimizing backfill materials in similar mining operations.
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