Experimental Technology and Management

传统土木工程材料教学实验多为固定配比的水泥基材料验证性实验，未充分融入现代绿色低碳理念及科学设计方法。该教学实验提出以碱激发赤泥胶凝材料替代水泥，并利用响应面法优化材料配比。实验结果表明，在煅烧温度850℃、碱激发剂掺量16%、赤泥掺量10%条件下，该材料的抗折强度和抗压强度分别提升了32.18%和42.21%。该材料及优化方法已在白鹭大桥伸缩缝修复工程中成功应用，工程成本降低了10.8%，修复材料力学性能提升了11.3%。该教学实验旨在通过系统的实验设计、现场操作和数据分析训练，提升学生的数据分析能力和团队协作能力，培养创新思维，推动土木工程实验教学创新。

[Objective] Traditional experimental teaching in civil engineering materials often relies on fixed-proportion verification experiments using cement-based systems. While these experiments help students understand the basic principles of hydration and strength development, they tend to be repetitive and lack flexibility. This limits students' exposure to emerging materials and innovative design concepts. Moreover, current teaching models seldom incorporate sustainability, carbon neutrality, or lifecycle thinking. As green construction and low-carbon development become core strategies in infrastructure planning, it is increasingly important for civil engineering education to reflect these trends. There is a pressing need to reform traditional teaching approaches to align with environmental priorities and better prepare students for modern engineering challenges. Reforming such curricula can help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling future engineers to address global environmental concerns through material innovation and optimized design practices. [Methods] To address these limitations, this reform proposes replacing conventional cement with alkali-activated red mud-based cementitious materials, introducing students to the concepts of industrial waste recycling and sustainable materials. Red mud, a byproduct of alumina production, is highly alkaline and poses environmental challenges when stockpiled. However, when activated with alkaline solutions, it can serve as a viable binder with promising mechanical performance. This reform also incorporates Response Surface Methodology(RSM) into experimental teaching to help students optimize mix design scientifically. RSM allows for a structured analysis of variables such as red mud content, activator dosage, and calcination temperature, offering students practical experience in experimental design, statistical modeling, and material performance evaluation. By involving students in variable selection, model construction, and regression analysis, the approach encourages hands-on learning and deeper engagement with scientific principles. This method shifts students from passive learning to active problem-solving. [Results] Under optimized conditions—a calcination temperature of 850 ℃, an alkali activator dosage of 16%, and a red mud content of 10%—the material's flexural and compressive strengths improved by 32.18% and 42.21%, respectively, compared to unoptimized mixes. These results highlight the effectiveness of both material substitution and design optimization. Moreover, the optimized system has been successfully applied in a real-world engineering case: the expansion joint repair on the Bailu Bridge. The material enhanced mechanical performance by 11.3% and reduced project costs by 10.8%, confirming its technical and economic viability in infrastructure repair. The successful translation from classroom research to engineering practice validates the pedagogical effectiveness of this reform. [Conclusions] This reform bridges experimental learning with real-world application, offering students a deeper understanding of sustainable materials and modern design tools. It strengthens skills in data analysis, teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving, while promoting awareness of environmental responsibility. The use of industrial waste aligns with circular economy principles and national carbon reduction goals. Furthermore, the integration of RSM improves students' research capability and decision-making in engineering practice. The reform not only expands students' technical horizons but also fosters a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability, essential traits for engineers in an evolving professional landscape. Overall, this reform provides a model for future civil engineering education—one that supports both academic rigor and societal relevance.