Mechanical and Durability Properties of Mortars Incorporating Red Mud, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, and Electric Arc Furnace Dust

This research studies the properties of mortars incorporating waste materials including red mud (RM), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), and electric arc dust (EAFD). Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was partially replaced with equal contents RM, GGBFS, EAFD at different ratios by weight (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50%). Slump, compressive strength, splitting tensile electrical resistivity, water absorption, resistance to freeze–thaw cycles, durability under sodium sulphate sulphuric acid attacks were investigated. Moreover, microstructure cured in tap exposed examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). Cement replacement up 20% led a slight increase strength 7, 28, 120 days, while results tests showed that only 10% substitution could improve mortar. A microstructural analysis small grain portions matrix improved whole mix density interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between aggregates paste. The this study there is an optimum ratio about 10%, beyond which incorporation these powders can cause degradation concrete properties.