Red mud effects on shrinkage potential of bentonite clay

It is currently necessary to build the structural foundation in expansive and sensitive soil in India because of rapid population growth leading to shortage of suitable land. Research has thus been done over the decades to modify the various properties of different soils in the presence of different additives to qualify these for appropriate usage in geotechnical field. This study investigates shrinking potential of highly expansive bentonite clay (BC) in presence of extremely alkaline red mud (RM). The study analysed the results of four distinct mixtures of BC and RM in the proportions of 20:1, 20:2, 20:3, and 20:4. The study indicates the gradual fall in plasticity index, shrinkage index, shrinkage ratio, volumetric shrinkage, and linear shrinkage when RM rises. The study advocates that RM is effective in reducing the volumetric shrinkage potential of the BC by possibly changing its molecular polarity and physicochemical properties.