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Efflorescence which severely occurs in alkali-activated slag cement can cause reduction of strength and durability due to calcium leaching. In the work, efflorescence characteristics in pavement containing red mud which can be affected by strong alkaline were investigated through various tests such as compressive strength, porosity, absorption, efflorescence area, alkali leaching content, and properties of the efflorescence compound. The compressive strength of pavement was evaluated to be higher over 15.0 MPa in all cases regardless of replacement ratio of red-mud and binder type, which can provide a reasonable strength for walking and bike lanes. The pavement with red mud was applicable to parking lots only when the replacement ratio of red-mud is within 10%. The efflorescence area increased with a higher replacement ratio of red mud and its propagation appeared though the efflorescence was removed through evaporation of moisture. However, the area of efflorescence gradually decreased with the repetition of the test.

This study used liquefied red mud (RM) sludge, an aluminum industry by-product, as a construction material. Accordingly, various methods were examined that used the fabricated liquefied red mud (LRM) as an admixture for concrete, and the mechanical properties of concrete were then evaluated according to the cement type and the amount of LRM. The LRM mixing methods (replacement and addition) were compared, and the slump and compressive strengths of concrete were evaluated for each method. To examine the mechanical properties according to the cement type and the amount of LRM, two types of cement (ordinary Portland cement and slag cement (SC)) were used, and 20 and 40 wt% LRM (with respect to the cement weight) were added. The mechanical properties of the stress–strain curve (SSC), compressive strength, peak strain, and elastic modulus were quantified. When the slump and compressive strength of concrete were considered based on the experimental results, the addition LRM mixing method was recommended as the appropriate method for LRM. As the addition of LRM increased, the mechanical properties of concrete degraded. However, when SC was used, the mechanical properties did not significantly change when different amounts of LRM were added (up to 20%). In addition, the SSC of LRM concrete could be approximated based on the use of the relationship of the compressive strength and peak strain according to the cement type and the amount of LRM.

Red mud is a highly alkaline waste by-product of the aluminum industry. Although recycling of red mud is being actively researched, a feasible technological solution has not been found yet. In this study, we propose that neutralization of red mud alkalinity could assist in its use as a construction material. Neutralized red mud (LRM + S; pH 6–8) was prepared by adding sulfuric acid to liquefied red mud (LRM; pH 10–12). After adding LRM and LRM + S to cement paste, the heat of hydration, compressive strength, and hydration products were examined. The experiments revealed that the calorific value of the cement paste with LRM was low, and its peak was delayed, when compared with that of plain cement paste (referred to as Plain), whereas the calorific value of the cement paste with LRM + S was similar to that of Plain. At the age of 28 d, the compressive strength of the cement paste with 10% LRM + S was 99% whereas that with 20% LRM was only 55% of the strength of Plain. Thus, our results help to resolve the issue of strength degradation of cementitious materials observed upon the addition of red mud and enable its reuse as a construction material.