The influence of material structure on the performance of Red Mud

This paper describes a laboratory programme to investigate the mechanical and chemical properties of bauxite residue (red mud) at a site in the United Kingdom that has operated for approximately 40 years. The site has been recently decommissioned and has been considered for future construction activity. Based on the suite of mechanical tests conducted on the red mud on this site, the material has compression behaviour similar to clayey soils and appears to be “structured” and has features consistent with sensitive clay soils. Chemical testing suggests that the agent causing the cementation/aggregation of particles is sodalite and that the bonds are reasonably strong and stable during loading.