Experimental study on construction application of red mud-based concrete pavement

In the wake of escalating global infrastructure expansion and transportation demands, the quest for innovative green road materials to supplant conventional alternatives has assumed critical urgency. Concurrently, red mud, an alkaline by-product of aluminum industry processes, has reached a pivotal juncture in terms of resource valorization. This study focuses on red mud and explores its feasibility as a component of concrete pavement construction. Comprehensive analyses were conducted on the mineralogical composition, chemical constituents, and physical attributes of red mud to refine the formulation of red mud-based cementitious materials and to delineate a holistic suite of construction methodologies for red mud-infused pavements. Experimental outcomes revealed that the integration of red mud substantially influenced the workability, apparent density, and compressive strength of the concrete matrix. Red mud-based concrete (RMC) exhibited commendable workability, compressive strength, abrasion resistance, impermeability to water, and resistance to chloride ion ingress, thereby affirming its mechanical robustness and durability. The RMC pavement technology developed herein has been successfully deployed in real-world engineering projects, yielding stable performance in test sections and markedly prolonging maintenance intervals. The advancement and deployment of RMC present a pioneering solution for green road infrastructure, while concurrently forging novel avenues for the resourceful repurposing of industrial solid wastes, thereby fostering environmental stewardship and sustainable progress. This research furnishes a robust scientific foundation for the extensive utilization of red mud in road engineering and accrues invaluable empirical insights. • This study investigates the application of red mud-based concrete pavement in construction, offering an innovative approach to green road construction. • The research optimizes the mix ratio of red mud-based cementitious materials for pavement construction and proposes a comprehensive set of construction techniques. • Experimental results demonstrate that red mud-based concrete (RMC) exhibits good workability, compressive strength, wear resistance, water permeability resistance, and chloride ion penetration resistance. • The developed RMC pavement technology has been successfully implemented in real-world engineering projects, resulting in stable quality and an extended maintenance cycle.