Potential of red mud as raw material for alternative binders in concrete
Storage of large quantities of industrial by-products can pose a serious environmental problem. There is a growing need to recycle these industrial by-products, including red mud, in the construction industry, which is one of the largest consumers of raw materials. A preliminary study of the potential of red mud as a raw material for concrete is presented in this paper. Chemical composition of red mud, determined by X-ray fluorescence and particle size distribution by laser diffraction, is tested as part of its initial evaluation. The reactivity of red mud is evaluated by the R3 test method with isothermal calorimetry. The compressive strength test is carried out on a mortar sample in which 30% by weight of cement is replaced by red mud. Preliminary tests indicate that red mud can be used as raw material in alternative binders.