"Enhancing Strength Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete through Red Mud and Marble Powder Modification: An Experimental Investigation"

Abstract

Introduction: Concrete technologists worldwide are actively seeking innovative materials to either supplement or entirely replace cement, a primary ingredient in construction notorious for its energy-intensive manufacturing process. This pursuit stems from the urgent need to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts associated with cement production, including habitat destruction, air, and water pollution, and exacerbation of the carbon footprint.

Objectives: In this project our main objective is to study the influence of partial replacement of cement with marble powder, and to compare it with the compressive and tensile strength of ordinary M25 concrete. We are also trying to find the percentage of marble powder replaced in concrete that makes the strength of the concrete maximum. Nowadays marble powder has become a pollutant. So, by partially replacing cement with marble powder, we are proposing a method that can be of great use in reducing pollution to a great extent.

Methods: Red mud, also known as bauxite residue, is a byproduct of the Bayer process used in the production of alumina from bauxite ore. It is highly alkaline and contains various metal oxides, making its management a significant challenge. Here's a general method for managing red mud. Solid-Liquid Separation: The first step involves separating the solid components (mainly red mud) from the liquid fraction (sodium aluminate solution). This is typically done using settling tanks or thickeners where red mud settles at the bottom and clear liquor is decanted off the top.

Results: The different treatment methods applied to red mud, such as neutralization, solidification, or metal recovery. This might include data on the reduction of alkalinity, heavy metal content, or leaching potential achieved through various treatment processes. might indicate the amount of valuable resources recovered from red mud, such as alumina, iron, titanium, or rare earth elements. This could include data on extraction efficiencies, purity of recovered materials, or economic feasibility assessments. Results could pertain to studies evaluating the environmental impact of red mud disposal or treatment methods. This might include data on groundwater quality, soil contamination, ecosystem health, or air pollution associated with red mud management practices.

Conclusions: Upon analyzing the test results, several key conclusions can be drawn regarding the performance of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) with varying amounts of red clay replacement. Compressive Strength: FRC replaced with red clay exhibits increased compressive strength compared to FRC without red clay when the red clay content ranges from 0.5% to 8%.