Desert Sand in Alkali-Activated Fly Ash–Slag Mortar: Fluidity, Mechanical Properties, and Microstructure

The role and performance of desert sand in alkali-activated mortar remain insufficiently understood. To address this knowledge gap, this study systematically investigates the fluidity, mechanical properties, and microscopic morphology of alkali-activated mortar with varying desert sand substitution rates (DSRR, 0–100%). The key findings reveal that a low DSRR (10–20%) enhances mortar fluidity and reduces drying shrinkage, though at the cost of reduced compressive strength. At 40% DSRR, the mortar exhibits elevated porosity (12.3%) and diminished compressive strength (63 MPa). Notably, complete substitution (100% DSRR) yields a well-structured matrix with optimized pore distribution, characterized by abundant gel micropores, and achieves a compressive strength of 76 MPa. These results demonstrate that desert sand can fully replace river sand in alkali-activated mortar formulations without compromising performance. Microstructural analysis confirms that desert sand actively participates in the alkali activation process. Specifically, the increased Ca²⁺ content facilitates the transformation of amorphous gels into crystalline phases. It also found that desert sand could make the fly ash more soluble, affecting the alkali activation reaction.