Production of aggregate from red soil by sintering method

In this study, it was aimed to sinter the materials obtained from prescriptions prepared by adding 5 different raw materials in red soil and to produce expanded light aggregates. In the study, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% marble powder, 5%, 10%, and 20% tuff, 1%, 2%, and 3% boric acid, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 10% expanded vermiculite, and 1%, 2%, and %3 sodium hydroxide were added into the red soil. Then, 30 ml water was added to these 100 gr mixtures and sludge was obtained. The sludge obtained was given the shape of a ball. The balls prepared were kept at room temperature for one day and then, they were dried at 80 °C in a stove for 2 days. Thus, the moisture in the material was removed before sintering. The dried samples were sintered at 950 °C for 6 minutes, and thus they were expanded in volume. After sintering, the water absorption test, volumetric changes, color measurements and compressive strength of the samples were calculated. After the procedures, the mechanical and physical properties gained by the expanded materials as a result of sintering were determined. The highest volumetric expansion value was observed in the sample containing 20% tuff and 8% marble powder, the highest water absorption value was observed in the sample containing 10% unground vermiculite, and the highest compressive strength was observed in the sample containing 1% NaOH and 8% marble powder.