Selection of the best laboratory-developed formulation of Red Mud Geopolymer using a MCDM approach

Abstract

The development of sustainable building materials has led to increased interest in geopolymer (GP) science for the possibility of incorporating a great number of industrial wastes and by-products, such as the Red Mud (RM). This study focuses on the selection of the optimal RM-based GP formulation among a range of variants developed in laboratory with different RM content. To determine the best mix design, the VIKOR method, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, was employed. This method allows the selection of a compromise solution that balances technical, physical, and environmental criteria across the different formulations. The criteria were selected and weighted following a consultation with a panel of experts in this field. The results indicate that the VIKOR method effectively identified the optimal GP formulation, which exhibited a superior balance of mechanical and physical performance. The selected formulation might be produced at industrial scale, representing a viable alternative to traditional cementitious binders, offering both enhanced sustainability and performance for construction applications.