An IIT Bhubaneswar (IITBBS) research has found that the mixture of red mud and fly-ash (both industrial wastes) can replace cement in construction works without compromising on quality, director R V Rajakumar said here on Monday. Addressing a news conference, Rajakumar said it is for the first time any research has established such productive use of red mud, waste generated from aluminium plants, though fly ash bricks are now very commonly used. The institute is in the process of filing patent for the technology, the director said.
Hanumanth Rao, a faculty member involved in the research, said 80% fly ash and 20% red mud can form self-compacting concrete with strength similar to cement. The findings were results of a Nalco-sponsored research in the IITBBS started in 2014, he said. R K Panda, head of research and development in IITBBS, said the mix can significantly reduce construction cost as the two industrial wastes are freely available and industries are facing problems in its disposal.
The IIT director and the faculty members were interacting with media ahead of the institute’s fifth annual convocation on Tuesday. The IITBSS director said the recently launched start-up centre in the institute has invited at least 30 proposals in its first round. The institute will select the innovative ones soon and mentor them. The Toshali plaza premises occupied by IIT’s administration wing will be totally dedicated to the start-up initiative, he said.
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