Experimental Investigation of Concrete With Red Mud: Performance Evaluation and Comparative Analysis

Abstract The disposal of red mud, a byproduct resulting from the extraction of alumina from bauxite ore, has emerged as a significant environmental issue owing to its elevated alkalinity and substantial concentration of heavy metals. However, recent studies have shown that red mud can be used as an additional cementitious material in concrete, providing not only environmental benefits but also improved mechanical properties and durability. This study investigates the potential of red mud as an innovative material in advanced thermal energy storage (TES) systems, aiming to enhance sustainable development. The rich composition of red mud in iron oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica suggests promising applications in TES, offering both environmental and economic benefits. The studies generally followed a systematic set of stages in the experimental process of manufacturing concrete cubes both with and without red mud as a partial replacement for cement. The necessary components are first obtained, which include cement, fine and coarse aggregates, water, and red mud. To produce the desired M30 grade concrete, a specific mix design is created, taking into account the amounts of each component. For the addition of red mud, to investigate its effect on concrete properties a set percentage of cement is substituted by Red Mud: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The potential of red mud as a partial substitute for cement in concrete is generally considered to be positive by the results of the studies. Beyond performance, the utilization of red mud offers economic advantages by diminishing the need for cement, thereby fostering significant cost savings and concurrently mitigating environmental impact.