Abstract:

Concrete remains the backbone of modern construction, with applications ranging from residential buildings to high-rise structures. However, the excessive extraction of river sand and the environmental impact of cement production have raised concerns about sustainability in the construction industry. To address these challenges, this study explores an innovative approach by partially replacing cement with red mud and fine aggregate with expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads, aiming to develop a lightweight, high-strength, and eco-friendly concrete mix. Red mud, a byproduct of the aluminum industry, is often discarded as waste, leading to severe environmental hazards. On the other hand, EPS beads, derived from recycled polystyrene, serve as an effective lightweight aggregate alternative to river sand. This study focuses on M25 grade concrete, where cement is replaced with red mud at 25% and 35% while fine aggregate is substituted with EPS beads at varying proportions of 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%. The primary objective is to assess the compressive strength of these modified concrete mixes and evaluate their feasibility in structural applications. The experimental results indicate that compressive strength increases significantly with the introduction of red mud and EPS beads in optimal proportions. At 25% red mud and 0.6% EPS beads, the compressive strength improves from 28.4 N/mm² to 35.6 N/mm², demonstrating a notable enhancement in mechanical performance. Similarly, with 35% red mud and 0.6% EPS beads, the compressive strength reaches 34.1 N/mm², further proving the effectiveness of this combination. These findings suggest that incorporating red mud and EPS beads not only enhances the strength but also contributes to reducing the self-weight of the concrete, making it suitable for lightweight construction applications.

Description:

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