Ultra-high-performance alkali-activated concrete produced with desert sand incorporations

The global surge in construction has intensified demand for natural silica sand (SS), causing shortages due to unsustainable extraction. This study explores the potential of using desert sand (DS) as an alternative to SS in producing ultra-high-performance alkali-activated concrete (UHPAAC), emphasizing the interactions between aggregates and the binding matrix. DS demonstrated a smoother surface morphology, finer particles, and a narrower gradation compared to SS. Substituting SS with DS at varying volume ratios improved the concentration of several elements in the pore solution of fresh mixtures. Samples with 10 vol% DS achieved the highest compressive strength, about 20 % higher than the SS reference mix. However, higher DS content reduced mechanical performance. Investigations of reaction products and microstructural characteristics revealed changes in the binder phase, including a lower Ca/Si ratio and improved local elastic modulus when DS was incorporated. Additionally, the smaller grain sizes of DS created numerous interfaces with the binding matrix, resulting in a more porous microstructure and declined micromechanical properties in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) compared to SS. Nevertheless, the strategic incorporation of DS as a partial replacement for SS enhances both compressive and flexural strength while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of UHPAAC production.