Potentials of LUSI Volcanic Mud as Construction Materials

Abstract. This year of 2014 is marked as the eight anniversary of Sidoarjo or LUSI volcanic mud eruption. More than 640 hectares of productive land has been submerged, and yet the eruption is still continue. This paper reviews the search to uncover its potential as construction materials. The mud is in semi-crystalline state in its original form, and it is rich in silicon and aluminium oxides, with the total amount of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 is more than 80. Calcination at 600-8000C for a certain period of time, followed with grinding to reduce the particle size to less than 63#956m convert the mud to be an amorphous and reactive material. The treated mud is an excellent pozzolanic material, suitable for making high volume pozzolanic mortar or concrete. At the same time, it is a strong candidate for precursor of geopolymer material.