Formulation and characterization of blended alkali-activated materials based on flash-calcined metakaolin, fly ash and GGBS

[Display omitted] •AAMs initial setting time, shrinkage, mass loss, compressive strength were studied.•Low activation leads to high drying shrinkage because of important mass loss.•Very low shrinkage values were found for MK-GGBS compared to the other AAMs.•High early strength compressive strength was observed for MK-GGBS blends. Studies performed on alkali-activated materials (AAMs) in recent years reveal that they could be an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The main precursors used are flash-calcined metakaolin (MK), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). Usually, only one precursor is used to produce an AAM. The aims of this study were to measure and compare the performances of pure (one precursor) and blended AAMs (two precursors). Alkaline solution is added to activate the precursors and the influence of the activation rate was also investigated by changing the activator amount (15% and 25% of alkaline solution dry extract). Twenty-six different mixes were studied and are presented in a ternary representation. The mixtures were characterized in the fresh state (initial setting time) and the main properties useful for building applications (shrinkage, mass loss, and compressive strength) were recorded and analysed. In contrast to the situation in OPC systems, shrinkage and mass loss in AAMs were not directly correlated. The high shrinkage values observed for pure MK AAMs and pure GGBS AAMs were significantly reduced when they were associated in appropriate proportions. The association of MK and GGBS also proved very interesting regarding early age compressive strength.