Experimental Study on Workability of Alkali-Activated Red Mud-Based Controlled Low-Strength Materials

Authors

WU Yun, Xiantao Highway Development Center , Xiantao , Hubei 433000 , ChinaFollow
FANG Mingjing², School of Civil Engineering and Architecture , Wuhan University of Technology , Wuhan , Hubei 430074 , ChinaFollow
LIN Zhiyang², School of Civil Engineering and Architecture , Wuhan University of Technology , Wuhan , Hubei 430074 , China
LIU Zhengwei³, Hubei Provincial Communications Planning and Design Institute Co ., Ltd., Wuhan , Hubei 430051 , China
BENG Jianping³, Hubei Provincial Communications Planning and Design Institute Co ., Ltd., Wuhan , Hubei 430051 , China

Corresponding Author

方明镜，男，博士，副教授.E-mail：mingjingfang@whut.edu.cn

Abstract

This study aims to optimize the mix design of alkali-activated red mud-based controlled low-strength materials (CLSMs ) to enhance their applicability in road engineering backfilling.The effects of red mud content (20% ‒ 50%),water-to-solid ratio (0.30‒0.36),sand-to-soil ratio (7∶3‒4∶6),polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PEC ) dosage (0%‒2.1%),and fly ash to mineral powder ratio (5∶1‒0.5∶1) on the flowability and bleeding resistance of the materials were systematically investigated.The results are as follows:① The water-to-solid ratio significantly influences flowability.Increasing it to 0.32‒0.34 improves flowability by 39%‒78%,but when the ratio exceeds 0.34,the bleeding rate increases significantly (up to 4.89%);② When the red mud content is 30%‒40%,the high specific surface area adsorption and alkaline hydration synergistic effect balance flowability (200‒300 mm ) and bleeding resistance (bleeding rate ≤5%);③ When the sand-to-soil ratio is optimized to 5∶5,the grading effect of manufactured sand reduces the water absorption impact of fine-grained soil,enhancing slurry stability;④ PEC dosages of 1.4% ‒ 2.1% significantly improve flowability through electrostatic repulsion and free water release mechanisms.However,excessive addition (>2.1%) leads to increased bleeding rate due to insufficient water film thickness;⑤ When the fly ash to mineral powder ratio is ≥ 2∶1,the spherical particle effect of fly ash reduces frictional resistance and suppresses bleeding.Based on the synergistic effects of multiple factors,the optimized mix design is recommended as follows:red mud content of 30%,water-to-solid ratio of 0.32,sand-to-soil ratio of 5∶5,PEC dosage of 1.4%‒2.1%,and fly ash to mineral powder ratio of 2∶1.This mix achieves high flowability (flow diameter of 200‒300 mm ) and low bleeding rate (2-hour bleeding rate ≤ 5%).This study provides key technical parameters for the low-carbon application of red mud-based CLSM and promotes the resource utilization of industrial solid waste and the development of green building materials.

Publication Date

8-15-2025

DOI

10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2025.04.011

First Page

86

Last Page

94

Submission Date

August 2025

Recommended Citation

Yun, WU; Mingjing², FANG; Zhiyang², LIN; Zhengwei³, LIU; and Jianping³, BENG (2025) "Experimental Study on Workability of Alkali-Activated Red Mud-Based Controlled Low-Strength Materials," Journal of China & Foreign Highway: Vol. 45: Iss. 4, Article 11.
DOI: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2025.04.011
Available at: https://zwgl1980.csust.edu.cn/journal/vol45/iss4/11

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